3 ms·

You have an incredible number of confounding variables here. Most of Europe was rebuilt by the Marshall Plan and had time to settle under the Pax Americana. T

You have an incredible number of confounding variables here. Most of Europe was rebuilt by the Marshall Plan and had time to settle under the Pax Americana. There was also the dawn of digital technology and the information, unification against the communist threat, a massive increase in standard of living, significant economic pivots, a removal of monarchs and a reduction of the powers of those who remained, etc. I can't say there was no effect, but I sincerely doubt it was the sole driver of peace in Europe. Also recall that the EU wasn't formed until the early 90's, but Europe has been largely at peace since WWII.

gmueckl 7y ago
No, this is not as complex as you make it out to be. First, the unification of Europa as a process started back to the 1950s. The EU isnkust the latest if a series of institutions that were founded and replaced in pursuit of that goal. Second, if you look at the western European countries before 1945 you will see that they had been quick to go to war with each other consistently throughout history. War was merely a tool, a way to continue policy making by other means. This approach got out of comtrol and caused World War I. World War II was cause by mad men who stoped at nothing to inflict as much death and damage as they could possibly do. Tjose horrors made the survivors realize that Europe cannot go on like this. This is what led de Gaulle, the former commander of the French army to approach the West German Chancellor Adenauer and ask for cooperation in building something that guarantees lomg term stability on the continent. There are approximately 30 countries on this continent. With so many actors, the chances of enduring peace over long periods of time are rather slim, no matter the external circumstances. Just look at prevalence of armed conflicts in the rest of the world.
- Someone 7y ago
  Approximately 30? In the EU, yes, but the continent has 44 to, if one counts ones with limited recognition such as Kosovo and Transnistria, 50 countries (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe) The breakup of the Soviet Union created quite a few countries in Eastern Europe. Also, quite a few were formed in bloody war(s) in the split up of Yugoslavia.

gmueckl 7y ago

No, this is not as complex as you make it out to be. First, the unification of Europa as a process started back to the 1950s. The EU isnkust the latest if a series of institutions that were founded and replaced in pursuit of that goal. Second, if you look at the western European countries before 1945 you will see that they had been quick to go to war with each other consistently throughout history. War was merely a tool, a way to continue policy making by other means. This approach got out of comtrol and caused World War I. World War II was cause by mad men who stoped at nothing to inflict as much death and damage as they could possibly do. Tjose horrors made the survivors realize that Europe cannot go on like this. This is what led de Gaulle, the former commander of the French army to approach the West German Chancellor Adenauer and ask for cooperation in building something that guarantees lomg term stability on the continent. There are approximately 30 countries on this continent. With so many actors, the chances of enduring peace over long periods of time are rather slim, no matter the external circumstances. Just look at prevalence of armed conflicts in the rest of the world.

Someone 7y ago
Approximately 30? In the EU, yes, but the continent has 44 to, if one counts ones with limited recognition such as Kosovo and Transnistria, 50 countries (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe) The breakup of the Soviet Union created quite a few countries in Eastern Europe. Also, quite a few were formed in bloody war(s) in the split up of Yugoslavia.