Issues Under Fire: EU Must Prove Europe Is Greater Than The Sum of its Parts

Issues Under Fire: EU Must Prove Europe Is Greater Than The Sum of its Parts

Much like the United States, Europe is stumbling bumbling and rumbling as it continues to reapply tried and failed measures to generate/stimulate sustainable economic activity. Unlike the United States, some Europeans are threatening to disengage from the EU, feeling they'd be better off in a less structured environment. If Europe's top tier economic producers can't jettison Europe's goldbricking slackers, they feel their progress will be constrained.

While many Americans likely feel as their European brethren do, American States  don't have the luxury of seceding from the Union. Hence, American voters have allowed political gridlock to grind all economic activity to a complete halt for the foreseeable future. Since no one has articulated the nation's mission or purpose lately, the United States has simply stalled out and languishes in economic limbo.

Like the United States, Europe has no plan, direction or common purpose that would strengthen the concept of its unity. Without a common purpose (especially among allied nations), natural tendencies toward nationalism and individualism always emerge, to create a space for those wanting their own space.  Taken to the extreme, and those tendencies will have some encroaching on the space of others. A quick study of 20th century Europe will certainly give pause for those concerns.

European Union supporters must develop a plan and direction for Europe that the vast majority of Europeans will sign off on and buy into. Europeans need to be shown what's in it for them to give up a certain degree of national autonomy in exchange for international membership. The European has to be sold on the features and benefits of belonging to a greater collective.

They could call it the path to the "European Dream". They will have to define the "European Dream" and demonstrate how it can be achieved. When a plurality of the populous is convinced the "European Dream" is worth any short to medium term sacrifices, Europe will finally be going some place. Finally, Europe will be able to compete effectively against emerging markets, while maintaining social mobility and a strong social safety net.

Bottom line: Europe has to tell the world what Europe wants to be when it grows up.

And BTW, the Pope's historic visit to the Middle East was another hot issue worthy of mention, so we mentioned it. Podcast below!