possible for Europe to become a single state?

 

It's not so much internal political structures, but different outlooks on the rest of the world, which is why the major sticking points are on defence and foreign policy.

 

I think its very likely in the distant future that Europe will become one state. Old nationalism is dying, but it is hanging out still in some corners, such as parts of France and Belgium has always had internal problems. In most things Europe is identical. Our economies are all interlinked. The EU itself creates reams of undemocratic directives and legislation that most of the time seems absolutely pointless and usually serves no purpose other than to annoy the hell out of us.

 

If Europe is serious about becoming one state, it needs to do three things:

 

1) Get rid of the democratic deficit in the EU; give the elected parliament more powers rather than just the token advisory role it has now.

 

2) Agree on a common defense policy and budget. Iraq really displayed the differences between Europes politicians. Have it so that a majority of European nations needs to agree on war. If the minority still decides to go to war they should be kicked out. (If this had of been the case in 2003, Spain, Holland, Poland and Italy would have decided against going to Iraq, Britain probably would have left altogether)

 

3) Do more on closing the language barriers. As long as most Europeans speak different languages it will make it impossible to form any sort of identity which a state needs to survive. The average Irishman and Italianman may have stuff in common but we'll never know unless the opposite speak the said language.

Practically- no.

Too many ethnic and cultural differences for it to ever succeed.  That doesn't mean they (EU) won't try some day, I just doubt it would last very long.

The one thing missing is a president, in the putin, bush style of things.

I think greater efforts on language are needed too, ie making esperanto mandatory in schools or something else, klingon even.

Getting everyone sighned up to the euro is a big stumbling block.

The Eurpean Union has the capacity to become the worlds foremost superpower but im of the opinion it will probably go to mush.

Things are taking too long, and theres no consolidation before expansion, everybody is on different pages.

Id like to live to see it but i think there more chance of prince charles winning mr universe

 

A Corporation.