I could see it reverting to a “common market” type of arrangement, which would be good for everyone involved. But the nationalist feelings are exploding all over europe, and I think it’s healthy.
I know the left and the one-worlders want to tie anything nationalistic to the Nazis and Hitler. But this new type of nationalism is DEFENSIVE. No one is looking to invade other countries, they only want to defend theirs from invaders , reclaim their CITIZENSHIPS and control their internal destinies.
These new nationalist leaders are as different from Hitler as George Washington.
“Putin has touted his collection of former Soviet states as the Eurasian Union, making it an economic union at first after the EU’s pattern, coming into being officially two years ago. I’m surprised you are not familiar with it.”
I’m familiar with it - I was being sarcastic. It’s more like the common market used to be.
There are always going to be regional associations and spheres of influence. This has existed forever. The US had its Monroe doctrine - still kinda does. But the EU is a different kind of beast. And one could make an argument that the US is that kind of beast also, but it evolved in a very different environment. The original 13 colonies all spoke English and had essentially the same culture. New States that joined the Union were the same way.
The EU is made up of states with different languages, cultures, long histories and prejudices, with strong national identities. It was a long shot from the very beginning.