EU's "role model" for regional peaceful integration is attracting attention around the globe. South American Mercosur, African Union, and South East Asian ASEAN are all - to varying degrees - moving in the direction of the EU. Arch enemies - such as India and Pakistan in South Asia - have thought out loud about formation of a unified economic block. In North America, think tanks are discussing expansion of NAFTA to allow free movement of goods and labor in North America.
It is interesting to hear EU's transformational impact on member states as well as on its periphery. Ireland, formerly one of the poorest countries in Europe, now has one of the highest GDPs. Similarly, EU has dangled the prospect of potential "community membership" as carrot among peripheral states to push through comprehensive reforms. Considering the breadth and scope of these reforms, EU action can be likened to "regime change"... albeit without firing a single bullet.
I also agree that EU is "the role model" for emerging multi-polar world. The idea of a US-centric world (after the collapse of communism) is dead... due to decline of US. Nor is it possible to have a "world government" via an institution like UN (that is rooted in WW2 issues). The UN (a) is inherently inefficient, (b) was designed to protect national "sovereignty" (while EU "interferes" in member countries to foster interdependence), and (c) has little similarity among members.
I agree that EU is "the most important political innovation since development of the nation state". It is unique due to: (a) reliance on law to resolve national inter-dependence issues, (b) focus on "common" problems among member states, (c) avoidance of violence among states, (d) lack of need for creation of regional balance of powers, (e) creation of massive single market for goods, capital, and labor, and (f) ability to influence major global issues (eg. climate change)
Mark Leonard - absolutely BONKERS.
Europe is on the decline. Everyone can see it apart from the Euro-federalists.
Maino88 1 year ago
PART 4:
EU's "role model" for regional peaceful integration is attracting attention around the globe. South American Mercosur, African Union, and South East Asian ASEAN are all - to varying degrees - moving in the direction of the EU. Arch enemies - such as India and Pakistan in South Asia - have thought out loud about formation of a unified economic block. In North America, think tanks are discussing expansion of NAFTA to allow free movement of goods and labor in North America.
-Kashif
KashifHKhan 2 years ago
PART 3:
It is interesting to hear EU's transformational impact on member states as well as on its periphery. Ireland, formerly one of the poorest countries in Europe, now has one of the highest GDPs. Similarly, EU has dangled the prospect of potential "community membership" as carrot among peripheral states to push through comprehensive reforms. Considering the breadth and scope of these reforms, EU action can be likened to "regime change"... albeit without firing a single bullet.
-Kashif
KashifHKhan 2 years ago
PART 2:
I also agree that EU is "the role model" for emerging multi-polar world. The idea of a US-centric world (after the collapse of communism) is dead... due to decline of US. Nor is it possible to have a "world government" via an institution like UN (that is rooted in WW2 issues). The UN (a) is inherently inefficient, (b) was designed to protect national "sovereignty" (while EU "interferes" in member countries to foster interdependence), and (c) has little similarity among members.
-Kashif
KashifHKhan 2 years ago
PART 1:
I agree that EU is "the most important political innovation since development of the nation state". It is unique due to: (a) reliance on law to resolve national inter-dependence issues, (b) focus on "common" problems among member states, (c) avoidance of violence among states, (d) lack of need for creation of regional balance of powers, (e) creation of massive single market for goods, capital, and labor, and (f) ability to influence major global issues (eg. climate change)
-Kashif
KashifHKhan 2 years ago