Originally Posted by
Chugalug2
Well, there are Federal Unions and Federal Unions, of course. I'm sure that you are right. The EU will try to become one, just like the USA. The difference is that the latter was essentially formed of immigrants who turned their backs on whence they came as well as on the indigenous population that they came to. As Territories became States that in turn joined the Union (ack 'Oklahoma') they created a Nation that could out produce all others. The EU has done none of that and never will. Herding cats comes more to mind. It is a political creation run by a Commission that has more in common with the Politburo than a Democratic Parliament. Left to its own devices the EU will collapse under its own squabbling contradictions and in doing so invite in Europe's enemies. The Europeans, as ever, need protection from themselves. The USA, as ever, will fulfil that need through NATO and, as ever, be resented for doing so. The alternative is Armagedón.
... in other words (forgive me) you cannot create a powerful state by agreement - it's only war and force that work. Ok, those are not your words but that's the practical meaning. The USA only exists as it does because of conquering Mexico and defeating the Confederates. China, Russia, India - all big because of conquest. So a situation where it happens by agreement, which you seem to want to compare to the Soviet Union (another creation of force) ..... is apparently impossible. So much for mankind .....