United States of Europe

The following is an analysis of the roots of the EU and one possible evolution.

Geography

In elementary school, I was taught that Europe is considered a continent, even if it is part of the same landmass as Eurasia, for socio-political reasons. The name Europe originated in ancient Greece to refer to the northern regions, and it was then broadly used until it changed in the modern geographical definition, as shown in the map below.

History

The long history of each population on the continent led to a high density of different states, often fighting to prevaricate on each other. Despite the relative proximity of the populations, the most diverse languages and cultures emerged before and after the fall of the Roman Empire. Those differences led to both great human thinkers and numerous wars.

Politics

After WWII, a process of integration between states began, leading to the formation of the European Union. This process has been primarily economic, starting with eliminating import duties between states and arriving at a common currency, but with a weak political union with no standard fiscal policy.

One of the possible solutions lies in the concept of the United States of Europe emerged in its modern view in the 19th century, with Victor Hugo as one of the most prominent voices:

A day will come when all nations on our continent will form a European brotherhood ... A day will come when we shall see ... the United States of America and the United States of Europe face to face, reaching out for each other across the seas.

How fast we will reach that day will depend, in my opinion, on when the following fundamental changes will be made:

• Elimination of the veto power of single states
• Uniform fiscal policy
• Harmonization of regulations and judicial system
• Direct election of the President of the EU Commission
• EU politics with transnational lists

With a strong and united confederation (not a federation) of states, each EU country can aspire for a prosperous future. 🔭