Originally Posted by
t43562
i.e. without Russia, Western Europe won't have any perceived external threat and will have the big disincentive against fighting each other removed. And order won't maintained by law and compromise but will rely on everyone arming to the teeth. So it's pre-medieval times externally and 21st century democracy internally. It seems like an argument that would prevent the UK itself from ever having been created - let alone the US.
The two Unions you mention, the UK and the USA, were both secured and retained in bloodshed (the USA in a rather shorter timescale than the UK). There is nothing special about the 21st Century, or any other century for that matter. We are a warlike species that has developed its technology, its culture, its extent, at the cost of those stood in our way. When we boldly go where no man has gone before no doubt the same will apply, the Prime Directive not withstanding.
That is what makes the EU so dangerous. It's proponents sincerely believe that it will prevent future European Wars. I fear that it could well be the cause of the next one, when those who get in its way try to resist ever closer unity. As to Russia, how do you do "without Russia"? That certainly sounds intriguing!