The European Union, your views

[LockHeart]

I see myself as a fervent Euro-sceptic who believes that my country (Great Britain) would be far better off, both economically and politically, if we were not part of the federalist superstate wannabe that is the EU.

I'm just wondering what my fellow Escapists' opinions are on the EU as a whole?

Spoiler: Search

I had a look on Search but couldn't find anything.

 

[FLSH_BNG]

Economically, the EU is far more stable than a single country, even though the different countries still are largely independent.

The best perk, being an American, is not having to carry around six different types of currency when you go on an overseas vacation.

 

[Leorex]

I like it, good counter part to the USA

 

[Oopsie]

In fact, it is exactly like the USA.

 

[Fingerprint]

I see myself as a fervent Euro-sceptic who believes that my country (Great Britain) would be far better off, both economically and politically, if we were not part of the federalist superstate wannabe that is the EU.

I couldnt have put it better... I mean word for word. Incredible...

 

[Skeleon]

Well, I'm very pro-EU. Actually, I hope we'll become a federal state one day, maybe even in my lifetime. I feel that as individual countries we are too weak to compete against the world's other super powers, i.e. USA and China.
I wish we'd get Russia to join but they must get their problems with democracy sorted out first.
The EU is our future if we are to have one.

This scepticism seems to be very common amongst the British.

 

[Hippopotamus]

Plus, remember that there is strength in numbers.

The purpose of the EU is to compete against countries like the U.S., China, and Russia. Individually, each country could be highly economically damaged if one of those three decided to tax or even ban goods from each individual state.

Think of it as a zombie movie. The hulking, undead bodies of the superpowers are out to get the little European countries (that means you too, Britain). Alone, they'd be gobbled like the soft, fleshy organisms they are, but together, they stand a chance to make it out of the ordeals better off for it.

 

[Aardvark Soup]

Open borders, one coin, a lot of economical advantages, the possibility to enforce stricter rules considering the enviroment and financial support for eastern European countries are the reasons why I actually find the EU a good thing.

 

[Oopsie]

Well, I'm very pro-EU. Actually, I hope we'll become a federal state one day, maybe even in my lifetime. I feel that as individual countries we are too weak to compete against the world's other super powers, i.e. USA and China.
I wish we'd get Russia to join but they must get their problems with democracy sorted out first.
The EU is our future if we are to have one.

This scepticism seems to be very common amongst the British.

Well, you have already gotten your wish. We already have a constitution for most nations which basically says EU made law overrules "local" law (on certain aspects), we already have a centralized european bank. So depending on where you live, you already live in a federal state. Although they just didn't tell you yet.

 

[The Infamous Scamola]

I'm actually very pro EU and pro Euro.

United we stand, divided we fall.

 

[marfoir(IRL)]

I am pro-EU and I don't think I would mind if, like some people fear, it di end up becoming one country with individual states. It's not far off that anyway.

Edit: just thinking about it, most people I have heard negative EU comments about have been British.

 

[luckshot]

you should be fine unless they start instituting Romanesque edicts and rebuild Hadrian's wall
/roman empire jokes

and i can definitely see the benefit to unified currency and border/tariff laws and what not. providing a unified law code would also be good

 

[Skeleon]

Well, you have already gotten your wish. We already have a constitution for most nations which basically says EU made law overrules "local" law (on certain aspects), we already have a centralized european bank. So depending on where you live, you already live in a federal state. Although they just didn't tell you yet.

Well, yes, however the EU's power over its members is still too limited for my taste. But I'm sure it'll get better (or worse, depending on your point of view) in time.

 

[Dr Spaceman]

Personally, I think the EU is a very good solution to economic issues in Europe. Unifying currency and free trade allow for greater expansion of capitalism, and should lead to more economic growth.

The problem that the British (in general) seem to have with this plan is that they wouldn't "get as much out of it" as countries like, say, Italy would. By joining into such a close economic pact, the richer folks are naturally going to have to give up a bit more than the poorer folks. My country, the US, is having a similar discussion right now. The more conservative states that are on the more wealthy end of the spectrum don't see the value they get from the federal government as much as the poorer ones do. Hell, the governor of Texas has even been recently been kinda-sorta calling for secession! (Apparently 600,000 American lives aren't enough for these assholes to realize that tearing this country apart is a terrible idea)

Getting back to the EU, I think the last several decades (since the 70s in particular) have been dominated by conservative economists in the major Western powers. Your Milton Friedmans and Austrian School economists basically argue for supporting the super-rich, and allowing money and resources to trickle-down to the poorer folks/countries. Unfortunately, the current economic crisis is clearly showing that you can't totally trust the super-rich to make the best decisions. Capitalism, ideally, should allow for greed in such a way that it lifts the whole economy upwards. However, when people aren't "playing by the rules" or (more accurately, perhaps) "stealing from poor people" you get a situation like the one we're in now.

I'm not saying that the British are stealing from the Hungarians or anything, but perhaps there needs to be a realization that helping the less well-off will help you out in the long run. Maybe not tomorrow, or even next year, but it will someday.

 

[WrongSprite]

Economically, the EU is far more stable than a single country, even though the different countries still are largely independent.

The best perk, being an American, is not having to carry around six different types of currency when you go on an overseas vacation.

Have you not heard of the Euro?

 

[Unknower]

Well, I don't care much. EU could become a federation, have a president and it's own military for all I care.

 

[Fairee]

A load of absolute rubbish. They (Europe) keep voting in ridiculous legislation that messes up Britain. We should get out of there.

 

[internutt]

As a Brit I love the EU. When going to the mainland for holiday I only need to worry about a Euro currency, rather than Francs and so many other currencies. Its good for us to stick together as a continent to compete economically with countries the size of Continents. We may one day have an overall leader of the EU, much like a President, I doubt this in my lifetime however.

The EU means we have close allies who we can rely on tourism and exports. If a war occurs we have the means to band together and support each other, rather than fighting amongst ourselves like in WW1 and WW2.

 

[LockHeart]

Economically, the EU is far more stable than a single country, even though the different countries still are largely independent.

The best perk, being an American, is not having to carry around six different types of currency when you go on an overseas vacation.

The EU is a mssive protectivist block that stifles economic development both outside and inside by restricting trade through the use of tariffs. Not only does it hamper the growth of other nations, but also members. If the EU economy falls, we all fall with it.

As for holidays: you've gotta do it everywhere else.

Well, I'm very pro-EU. Actually, I hope we'll become a federal state one day, maybe even in my lifetime. I feel that as individual countries we are too weak to compete against the world's other super powers, i.e. USA and China.
I wish we'd get Russia to join but they must get their problems with democracy sorted out first.
The EU is our future if we are to have one.

This scepticism seems to be very common amongst the British.

What do you mean by compete? Militarily? Economic?

Norway has the second highest GDP per-capita (after Luxembourg) and third highest GDP (PPP) per-capita in the world. Not a part of the EU.

Military competition wouldn't matter in a state of heavily armed, nuclear neutrality. Lower taxes and cut red tape to allow more businesses from all over the globe to set up here = economic growth. Once other countries establish valuable economic links, military action is highly unlikely to ever occur, especially with our current defensive pacts.

Plus, remember that there is strength in numbers.

The purpose of the EU is to compete against countries like the U.S., China, and Russia. Individually, each country could be highly economically damaged if one of those three decided to tax or even ban goods from each individual state.

Think of it as a zombie movie. The hulking, undead bodies of the superpowers are out to get the little European countries (that means you too, Britain). Alone, they'd be gobbled like the soft, fleshy organisms they are, but together, they stand a chance to make it out of the ordeals better off for it.

See my above point about absolute free trade: there'd be no benefit in boycotting British business.

Open borders, one coin, a lot of economical advantages, the possibility to enforce stricter rules considering the enviroment and financial support for eastern European countries are the reasons why I actually find the EU a good thing.

Economical advantages? Care to elaborate? All I've seen are higher taxes to fund the EU...

Open borders can be negotiated through bilateral treaties.

If we want to support other countries we can voluntarily give aid, we don't need it taken from us through extra taxes.

We already have 'stricter rules'. They override our homemade ones and follow a legal structure completely alien to the Common Law.


EDIT: Just re-read this and apologies if it seems a tad agressive This was typed in between trips to rescue tea from certain firey and chargrilled death.