Is the European Union expanding too fast?
483861
It is and often without even asking he consent of the Europeans when it enlarges. \nNot only, but the centralized governmental control doesn't work at all. \nNot to mention the Euro, which has caused thousands of families to end up on the edge of starvation.\nIn actual fact Europe is not working in any field.\n\nThe nations that are performing better are only those that remained outside the Euro Zone, UK being the first of them all. \n\nThen there is uncontrolled immigration from non EU countries, which is intaking millions of starved people inside EU, whose costs will eventually increase taxes on EU citizens.\nNot to mention the total lack of control on immigration from the poorest EU countries towards the richest ones, which is causing other problems. \n\nEurope to date has been a failure, in all terms!
306772
I guess it's possible...the challenge the US faces is worsening education, lessened work ethic of the younger generation, and a warped view of the world, all combined with a complacency with a disturbing attitude like we're gauranteed to always stay on top.  At the same time, I can't imagine anyone in the EU ever willing to give up all those nice warm and fuzzy social benefits and looooong vacations. You can't run a competitive economy like that.  Look what's happened in France now, with the job reform riots, and the government caving in.  That's further compounded by a shrinking birth rate and dramatically changing demography.\n\nBut all this is irrelevent.  Even if Europe does get more powerful than the USA, it's not going to be inordinately more powerful.  In any case, who cares?  The real question to ask is: Not when, but how long until China, and perhaps any unions if forms in its region in the future, is more powerful than the US and the EU - combined?
613003
I sure hope so .... I'm tired of everything ... do we get to go in the EU or do we don;t ... :))\n\nBut is i have to be objective ... we don't deserve to go in the EU ... we can not be compared with  Germany or Italy or Spain .. even if we have a poor country everybody still steals from it .. CORRUPTION everywhere ! this is the truth !
441867
It's heading that way.  Since BeNeLux was formed (back in 1959 I think) it's been expanding ever since.\n\nBeNeLux was the joining of Belgium, Netherlands and Luxumbourg and since then it has expanded to become the European Union of today which has 25 countries - pretty much all of Western Europe and much of Eastern Europe.  Several countries that aren't members are wanting to join but are currently barred for various reasons - Turkey for example won't be allowed to join until it cleans up its human rights act.\n\nOver the years there has been a conformity by the separate countries in many areas including trade, immigration, law, currency and so on.  There's already a European Parliament, European Courts and so on. In time I'm sure that more and more individual sovereignty will be relinquished to a central control so that effectively Europe will become the Unisted States of Europe - we're already half way there as it is but I think thre's some way yet before was see a US of E.\n\nOn the basis that it will happen, then the USE will become the worlds biggest superpower having a population, assets, military power etc far in excess of the USA.
112731
Croatia will join EU in the next round after it cleans its act up. They've had a few internal political hiccups along the way, but I think they will come out fine. Croatia will have positive economical effects, and I would say tourism will become one of its main industries. Political, will be interesting.. Especially if Serbia decides to apply for EU. Not familiar enough with Barry's theory to comment.
620328
Although it is possible - I don't believe it will happen in the near future.\n\nUS and Canada have good economical and political relationships, and both are members of G8 (8 major economies) and they formed NAFTA (along with Mexico).  But I don't think people will want to make another union - at least Quebec will be against.  and anyway - when a country is TOO big, the governance is getting even more difficult, the inner tensions are getting even bigger...  So I don't believe that in 80-100 years that can happen...
868395
The EU has been trying to get it's member states to adopt the EU constitution.People in many member states are afraid of unreasonable restrictions, a loss of power or autonomy,or losing national identity.
349707
Yeah... I think you will see movements in that direction for many contenents... the African Union is in talks... but how knows if that will happen.\nI think it would be better for them because no one country has the infastruture to be very competitve in a global economy, but together they could make waves and get some things done
960815
The UK is in the EU for the same reason all the other countries are.  They can't compete successfully on the world market by themselves, especially as other countries are creating trade agreements (NATO, OPEC, NAFTA, APIC, etc), so they need to unite to stay soluble.
910859
Could be many reasons.\n1 could be the De minimis rule for EU fundings.\n2....\n3...
738816
I have heard of this yes. If anyone has doubts all one has to do is look at the EU. The NAU is coming and america is asleep at the switch. Its too late, we the sheeple deserve this fate.
769050
janey, sweatheart,,,relax, you are not far off a good idea chuckles\n Do you know that the soon to be "united states of europe "Has captured the wallets and minds of 26 countries now i think if america britain australia new zealand canada and anybody els who would join us could have an economic organisation like europe union and it would stop their advance, they are gaining ground all over all they do is buy politicions loyalties with great cash awards. america and britain need to gain ground.
938228
Soon will be so but the EU is not that well set up at the moment but these things will happen soon.
622508
They're going to join the European Union soon, aren't they?  All I really know is that half of Turkey seems to be in Germany these days ... and that the British are busy buying property all along a very pretty coastline ... there!  That's my knowledge of present day Turkey ... :)
921730
It is the same situation with the E.U,  I think that we pay  a lot more in than we get out of it to subsidise the uneconomic European farmers (especially the French) who according to the newspapers are laughing at us and also  the ridiculous  human rights clauses. Before the E.U. we were an independent nation now we seem to be controlled  by Brussels. I suggest we get our Independence back then we can sort our own problems out
1133848
One of the opportunities of enlargement is increased liquidity, and decreased transaction costs.  The threats are that the greater number of nations involved, the more disagreements and increased friction.
668848
No it is not. Turkey should immediately get out of this EU membership crap.