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2005-06-22 Europe
Analysis: Can Europe Be A Superpower?
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Posted by Spavirt Pheng6042 2005-06-22 01:58|| || Front Page|| [11129 views since 2007-05-07]  Top

#1 "The EU is unique in that it has the possibility to play the role of a superpower without asserting itself militarily."

As Spongebob says: "Good luck with that!"
Posted by Mark E. 2005-06-22 08:45||   2005-06-22 08:45|| Front Page Top

#2 Blogging while under influence of alcohol or drugs should be severely punished by the law.
Posted by JFM">JFM  2005-06-22 09:02||   2005-06-22 09:02|| Front Page Top

#3  Europe can become a superpower in 21 easy steps. Just send me 29.99$ (no Euros, please) for my book How to become a superpower in 21 easy steps.
Posted by gromgorru 2005-06-22 09:20||   2005-06-22 09:20|| Front Page Top

#4 All they need to do to become a superpower is to submit. And I fear they will.
Posted by Mrs. Davis 2005-06-22 09:23||   2005-06-22 09:23|| Front Page Top

#5 no
Posted by Frank G">Frank G  2005-06-22 09:51||   2005-06-22 09:51|| Front Page Top

#6 The larger this union grows, the more that other countries, including the United States, would have to take its wishes into account.

Already been tried twice in the 20th Century (League of Nations, UN). Neither worked out very well.
Posted by Dreadnought 2005-06-22 10:02||   2005-06-22 10:02|| Front Page Top

#7 Not only could such an EU curb what are seen as U.S. unilateralism and militarism, it could also spread the sort of peaceful conflict resolution now prevailing in most of Europe to other parts of the world.

Something tells me that someone is looking at the world through rose-colored glasses.
Posted by Bomb-a-rama 2005-06-22 10:22||   2005-06-22 10:22|| Front Page Top

#8 No.
Posted by tu3031 2005-06-22 11:05||   2005-06-22 11:05|| Front Page Top

#9 The French tried it once around 1805, the Germans tried twice in the 20th Century. Fortunately, the window of opportunity in history has now passed, for the better.
Posted by Snolunter Elmineger5424 2005-06-22 11:09||   2005-06-22 11:09|| Front Page Top

#10 looking at the world through rose-colored

more like blinders.
Posted by 2b 2005-06-22 11:10||   2005-06-22 11:10|| Front Page Top

#11 Other countries may want to join the EU, but the EU itself has closed the door on them. The future now lies with a potential Middle East Common Market, whose core states will be Turkey and Iraq. As other nations wish to join *them*, they will have to reform to their standards. The great irony of this will be that finally get their reformed "empire", but not under a Sultan or even as a religious state. As a predominantly secular, democratic confederation in competition with Europe. Eventually, I can imagine it incorporating Libya, Egypt and other northern African nations, Jordan, Syria, Saudi, Yemen, Oman, the UAR, Azerbaijan, and perhaps Jordan. Ironically, Iran will be to them as Russia is to the EU, too powerful and too different to become a member.
Posted by Anonymoose 2005-06-22 11:13||   2005-06-22 11:13|| Front Page Top

#12 Nope.
Posted by Secret Master 2005-06-22 12:18||   2005-06-22 12:18|| Front Page Top

#13 the sort of peaceful conflict resolution now prevailing in most of Europe to other parts of the world.

Can you say Yugoslavia?
Posted by BrerRabbit 2005-06-22 12:22||   2005-06-22 12:22|| Front Page Top

#14 It's it amazing they really didn't kill each other (except for that dust-up)at the end of the 20th century. All because they're willing to talk and have a process.
Posted by anonymous2u 2005-06-22 13:19||   2005-06-22 13:19|| Front Page Top

#15 
Not only could such an EU curb what are seen as U.S. unilateralism and militarism, it could also spread the sort of peaceful conflict resolution now prevailing in most of Europe to other parts of the world.
That "peaceful conflict resolution now prevailing in most of Europe" is courtesy of the United States military, dipshit.

By all means, EU, help spread that to other parts of the world.

Of course, that would mean we'd be too busy for you, but what the hell - you don't need us anyway, right?

Right?

I lived in Europe for 3 years and NEVER got this stupid, so I doubt it's something in the soil or water.

Of course, I drank tap water, not the bottled stuff. Hmmmm....
Posted by Barbara Skolaut">Barbara Skolaut  2005-06-22 14:05||   2005-06-22 14:05|| Front Page Top

#16 "The EU has the potential for doing this because it has an asset neither the United States nor any other country (or group of countries) possesses: the desire on the part of other countries to join it."
Yeah, the Turks had that desire, but I suspect enough was said in France in the last month to make it clear to the Turks that they're chasing a rotten carrot dangling from the end of a termite-infested stick.
Posted by Tom 2005-06-22 16:04||   2005-06-22 16:04|| Front Page Top

#17 This article forgets that while the no countries are joining the US, millions of people are anxoius to join the US every year. In the choice between political elites vs people, go with the people every time.

Al
Posted by Frozen Al 2005-06-22 16:10||   2005-06-22 16:10|| Front Page Top

#18 If they were talking about some Asian version of the EU, maybe....but not the EU as it is today.

Posted by Desert Blondie 2005-06-22 18:57|| http://azjetsetchick.blogspot.com]">[http://azjetsetchick.blogspot.com]  2005-06-22 18:57|| Front Page Top

#19 "The EU is unique in that it has the possibility to play the role of a superpower without asserting itself militarily."

This reminds me of the old Steve Martin routine. "You can be a MILLIONAIRE, and never pay taxes. First, get a million dollars, then...."
Posted by rjschwarz">rjschwarz  2005-06-22 18:58|| rjschwarz.com]">[rjschwarz.com]  2005-06-22 18:58|| Front Page Top

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