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Add to FavoritesEurope is a conglomerate of so many different countries, all with their own agenda and all looking in different directions. Nowhere else is the great divide illustrated better than the relationship between Britain and the Franco-German alliance.
Huge suspicions exist between these three great nations. Britain is proud of its past. Deep down it sees itself as the Savior of Europe. It has a great military history and headed the largest Empire ever seen. Throughout the past 500 years it has done battle, usually successfully, with France, which was envious of its worldwide influence. The last century saw Britain at the forefront of the defeat of two German attempts to take over Europe militarily. France's efforts to hold back Germany were laughable.
Fast forward to the last quarter of the 20th Century and the start of the 21st. Germany and France will shake their heads and ask, 'What's that got to do with Europe today? You've always talking about the War.' Well, thankfully, Europe is a much more stable place these days and there is an element of truth in whet they are saying. But in Britain,we feel these two powers are trying to take things too far. They want to create a federal Europe - along similar lines to the United States of America. But Britain is not keen on being rushed into a US of Europe. For a start, we fell we have stronger ties with America than with our European cousins.
The whole culture of nations across mainland Europe is so alien to us Brits. What we see as logical is often seen as a non-starter across the English Channel. We are resented and ridiculed by other Europeans. The Germans and French come up with plans to force Britain to pay more and more. Britain supports integration of poorer European nations - so do the other more powerful states on the condition Britain pays more.
Europe is keen to bind its member states even closer. It wants a common foreign policy, common monetary policy and even a common Army. But can you honestly imagine a French policeman patrolling a quiet English village? Or a grocer selling a kilo of apple for 2 euros? Or a British Royal Marine taking on the Taliban alongside an Italian coming under fire?
The rest of Europe comes up with 'great' ideas, such as making Britons drive on the right - when Britain says, we'll look at it if you pay, Europe suddenly loses its resolve.
Once new European laws are introduced, guess which country has the best record of enforcing them? Britain of course. In this country a law means this is what you can or can't do. On the Continent it means, here you are, have a go at this. If you don't quite achieve it, don't worry.
It seems to be one long continual fight. In Britain we generally view it as a them and us situation and I know they don't think too highly of us either. While the European Union has led to poorer countries like Spain getting handouts to pay for roads, reservoirs and other infrastructure, it has done little to unite the Continent. Rather, it has shown up the huge differences that exist between us - and particularly those over the other side of the Channel.
Learn more about this author, Phil Hill.
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Twice in the twentieth century, competition between France and Germany had been major factors in turning Europe into a charnel house. The war in Europe 1939 - 1945 produced death and destruction on a scale never before seen. As many as 60 million dead and just about every major European city damaged.
The first step on the road of European Union was taken in 1950, just five years after the end of WWII, with the creation of The European Coal and Steel Community. The objective as stated by the then French foreign minister, Robert Schuman, was to make, "any war between France and Germany...not only unthinkable but materially impossible." At the time the coal and steel industries were the basis for military power.
In the last 50 years The European Coal and Steel Community of six member states has evolved into The European Union of 27 member states. This deepening and widening of the EU has seen the creation of a single market for goods, services and jobs; a single currency; a European legal system; a directly elected European Parliament and a European defense identity.
By some estimates, the economic integration brought about by the EU has seen economic growth within the Union 0.5 percent per annum higher than it would have been without the existence of the EU. Considering that the EU generates 31 percent of the world's nominal GDP (US$16.6 trillion) in 2007, this is a considerable achievement.
The Treaty of Lisbon, currently being ratified by the member states and due to come into force 1 Jan 2009, will give the EU a permanent president and a foreign minister. Previously EU foreign policy has been characterized by its simplicity. The main leverage that the EU had was to accept or reject a country's application to join. Any country wishing to join must meet the Copenhagen criteria. These require a stable democracy, which respects human rights and the rule of law; a functioning market economy capable of competition within the EU and the acceptance of the obligations of membership.
As there are many benefits to EU membership, especially for poorer countries, this lever has been used to good effect in post cold war Europe to cement democracy and peace in former communist states. Many of which are now members of the EU.
There is no doubt that the EU is far from perfect, its democratic deficit and the apparent remoteness of its bureaucracy being obvious points. But overall, European Union has served the people of Europe well, helping to produce a peaceful, stable and prosperous Europe, quite unlike its previous history.
Learn more about this author, T J Neale.
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