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The wealth and the technology, perhaps. The political will and unity? I doubt it. EU is still in a pre-Federation stage, similar to the USA during the Articles

The wealth and the technology, perhaps. The political will and unity? I doubt it. EU is still in a pre-Federation stage, similar to the USA during the Articles of Confederation. (Also, NATO does include the US.)

Detrytus 3y ago
EU will remain in "pre-Federation" stage for centuries, since, unlike USA it is composed of many nations, with language barriers, and historical grudges against each other. It might become temporarily united by force (that's what EU Commission, and Germany are trying to do right now), but that won't last even a decade.
- galangalalgol 3y ago
  While they lacked language barriers, the differences in who founded the original colonies led to large cultural differences that could be considered nation defining. This was amplified by available resources and extraction strategies and eventually contributed to the civil war. The differences within the EU are certainly much broader, but power draws power, and I wouldn't count out a much more centralized EU in the future, even if that is not beneficial for or desired by any of its members.
gumballindie 3y ago
Last century was defined by east europe and the us. I fail to see how western europe, which collapsed at its first war with a significant power, could amount to anything on its own. Germany alone erased most countries in a matter of years and after that germany itself was split between america and britain on one side and east europe on the other. Western europe can win wars against peaceful or backwards countries, not against serious military powers. Even the war in ukraine shows that continental western europe has significant gaps in terms of defense technology. It can print money but it surely cant extract the wealth that matters - resources and energy. Where are holland or germany going to get the oil and metal needed to build tanks in case of war at their borders? There’s no amount of arrogance and self flattery to compensate, and money burn faster than bullets.

Detrytus 3y ago

EU will remain in "pre-Federation" stage for centuries, since, unlike USA it is composed of many nations, with language barriers, and historical grudges against each other. It might become temporarily united by force (that's what EU Commission, and Germany are trying to do right now), but that won't last even a decade.

galangalalgol 3y ago
While they lacked language barriers, the differences in who founded the original colonies led to large cultural differences that could be considered nation defining. This was amplified by available resources and extraction strategies and eventually contributed to the civil war. The differences within the EU are certainly much broader, but power draws power, and I wouldn't count out a much more centralized EU in the future, even if that is not beneficial for or desired by any of its members.

gumballindie 3y ago

Last century was defined by east europe and the us. I fail to see how western europe, which collapsed at its first war with a significant power, could amount to anything on its own. Germany alone erased most countries in a matter of years and after that germany itself was split between america and britain on one side and east europe on the other. Western europe can win wars against peaceful or backwards countries, not against serious military powers. Even the war in ukraine shows that continental western europe has significant gaps in terms of defense technology. It can print money but it surely cant extract the wealth that matters - resources and energy. Where are holland or germany going to get the oil and metal needed to build tanks in case of war at their borders? There’s no amount of arrogance and self flattery to compensate, and money burn faster than bullets.