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Peace in Europe

Europe’s history is filled with war and strife, whether between European nations or with others beyond the continent. Regardless of how far back in time one cares to look, this is an indisputable fact that one cannot deny other than through a lack of historical knowledge.

Yet over the last 50 years, the number of wars within Europe has reduced substantially, to the point that some European countries have enjoyed an unprecedented period of peace within their own borders as well as with their neighbours for over 50 years. So who or what has brought this era of peace within Europe?

For the anti-EU movement, this peaceful period is solely attributed to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation [NATO]. From their perspective, the European Union has done nothing to bring the peace in Europe, and its only because of NATO and the USA, that Europe has enjoyed this tranquil period. From the pro-EU movement’s perspective, the opinion is divided between those that believe it is solely the EU, and those that believe it’s the combined effect of both the EU and NATO.

So where does the truth lay? Is it NATO, is it the EU or is it a combined effort and effect of both?

NATO itself is comprised of 28 countries of which 21 of them are also members of the European Union. The EU member states that are not part of NATO are Malta, Sweden, Cyprus, Finland, Ireland and Austria. One could use the argument that because NATO is made up predominantly of EU member states, these countries have used NATO to provide the peace within Europe and in particular the European Union itself.

However this argument falls flat on its face when one looks at the wars that have arisen within Europe. Prime examples are the Greek-Turkish clashes, where both are members of NATO yet the organisation has been unable to stop the bloodshed. So if NATO is supposedly the sole reason why Europe has had such a long period of peace, one begs to ask “why then has it not been able to stop its own members from fighting each other?”.

On the other hand, one could claim that it’s the European Union itself that has brought peace, and this can easily be substantiated by the fact that every single member state that has joined, has seen no war with its fellow EU members. True, some member states have clashed with other nations within Europe, but none have clashed with other EU member states.

Personally I believe that the truth lies in the combined effect of both NATO and the EU.

The European Union, and its predecessor the European Economic Community, have brought the member states closer together through political and economic integration. The divisions that have led nations to war in the past, have been blurred to the extent that these nations now have more in common than in their differences. The political systems that are in place within the EU, the economic interlinking between the nations, and the unique structure of the European Union itself, has led the member states to not only avoid going to war with each other, but also provided the venue for them to resolve their issues without bloodshed.

The ability to discuss their issues, the underlying principles of the European Union itself that member states must not only respect the other members but also their borders and interests, has been a pivotal point in ensuring peace within the European Union’s borders. NATO itself with its membership being predominantly EU member states has given these countries another venue for resolving issues without firing a single shot.

Without the EU member states, NATO would dwindle to a group of 6 nations. Without NATO, the EU would not have an effective “military” wing. So through the political and economic integration provided by the European Union, and the military “union” provided by NATO, they have together given the EU member states this era of peace. Together, these two entities have taken out of the equation the reasons that do lead nations to war against each other.

by James aka EUR

This article has been produced exclusively for the WAPEU website.  Its reproduction is permitted as long as the article is used in full and acknowledgement is given.
 
 

Today I came across yet another debate on YouTube over which is better.  The European Union or the United States.  Endless jibes as people strived for supremacy over one another.  'Europeans are weak!'.  'Americans are obese and ignorant!'.  The usual playground nonsense, and then World War II reared its ugly head.  It quickly descended into serious stuff.  We've all heard the common, associated phrases about most of us speaking German, or the Americans arriving late to the European theatre.  Many seem to think Germany is still a Nazi dictatorship or that France has never won a war in its history.  But there's a real sense of malice.

I often wonder why this is.  Combatants in this battle for the high ground don't usually have an extensive knowledge of WWII.  There's often a general lack of insight into the current political landscape.  Most of the time they've yet to even set foot in each others' cultures, preferring to conduct their attacks from opposite sides of the Atlantic.  They recycle phrases repeated to death already.  So what's fuelling this fight?

The United States is the lone superpower in the world today.  No doubt China is rising rapidly, Russia handles its resources to great political effect and the EU is an economic giant.  But there is no power on this globe as all-encompassing as the United States.  Therefore, much like the great empires of our history, from the Romans to the British, other nations watch America closely.  From the government to the people, every move the US makes is scrutinised, judged or occasionally applauded.  There's a need for people to compare themselves.  It's used as a benchmark.  If we're behind, we'll catch up, but if we're ahead they'll damn well be told we are!  This is more than friendly competition.  It's not easy living under the spotlight.

But what I find preposterous, are those who support the EU taking part in these arguments at all.  After centuries of war and strife, we finally achieved peace on the European continent.  It isn't a throwaway achievement, to be taken for granted and used to begin further wars outside of Europe.  Attacking America is nonsensical.  It's a fight that cannot continue.  We've learned from the mistakes of our past.  We've developed a new Europe.  A new approach to dealing with our problems.  We must take the same approach in conducting our relations with the US and the American people.

'United in Diversity' isn't a motto that should be applied only to the European Union.

by BritishEuropean
 
 
Introduction

It is without doubt, one of humanity’s greatest and most ambitious projects ever undertaken - the creation of a multinational union of independent nations who not only willingly join but also relinquish some of their national powers to a central body. The European Union is a project that commenced over 50 years ago through the establishment of three independent but related communities.

Europe itself, is no stranger to war or famine. The history of the continent is one of continual warfare and strife, whether within its own continental borders, or with nations beyond them. The world has seen two world wars, both of which begun within Europe itself and rapidly spread throughout most of the world. Most of humanity’s great empires have their roots within Europe, and European beliefs, achievements and discoveries are now the norm throughout our small world.

There are many who, in some cases, have valid reasons to oppose the development of the European Union. Amongst them is the so-called lack of democratic political institutions within the Union, the lack of clear transparency of its operations, and more importantly – and which is one of the driving forces behind those that oppose the EU – is the lack of public knowledge of what the European Union is all about and how it functions.

Yet, despite these deficiencies, the European Union’s survival is not only crucial for Europe itself but also for the rest for the world.

In the series of articles to follow, I’ll address not only the strengths and deficiencies of the European Union itself, but also its impact on Europe and on the rest of the world.

by James aka EUR

This article has been produced exclusively for the WAPEU website. Its reproduction is permitted as long as the article is used in full and acknowledgement is given.