Interesting discussion.
From an outsider's perspective, I remember thinking as a kid that the EEC was a good thing, that it would lead to a "United States of Europe. Of course, I didn't know a damned thing about politics or culture then, so had no clue about the difficulties which come from trying to knit together societies that span a broad range of peoples and outlooks.
I think what is happening right now is that the Europeans are (re)learning the problems with confederation that we Americans discovered in having a supernumerary government that was not strong enough to deliver on promises. Of course, the Europeans have added the twist of allowing the supragovernment to impose itself on local laws. It seems to me that confederations might be inherently unstable?
It's a shame you can't have limited the EU's powers to economic and foreign policies, and left the rest of the governmental duties to the participating governments.
You say the stupidest shit when you get wound up.
From an outsider's perspective, I remember thinking as a kid that the EEC was a good thing, that it would lead to a "United States of Europe. Of course, I didn't know a damned thing about politics or culture then, so had no clue about the difficulties which come from trying to knit together societies that span a broad range of peoples and outlooks.
I think what is happening right now is that the Europeans are (re)learning the problems with confederation that we Americans discovered in having a supernumerary government that was not strong enough to deliver on promises. Of course, the Europeans have added the twist of allowing the supragovernment to impose itself on local laws. It seems to me that confederations might be inherently unstable?
It's a shame you can't have limited the EU's powers to economic and foreign policies, and left the rest of the governmental duties to the participating governments.
(April 23, 2016 at 6:58 am)Napoléon Wrote: Ahh, yes. Lecture me on 'listening' why don't you. Yanks seem to be good at this whole hypocrisy thing.
You say the stupidest shit when you get wound up.
