Is A European Federation Inevitable?

The European Union rivals China as the world's second largest economy, surpasses the United States in population, and (thanks to France) carries a nuclear arsenal, and yet, the EU isn't a country, but that might change in the not too distant future.

The European Union, since its inception, has repeatedly promoted the concept of an ever closer union, seeking to more deeply integrate its constituents into a United States of Europe or a European Superstate, uniting the continent, or at least its western most half, into one country with a single currency, the euro, a unified legal system, a unified army, and a unified singular goal for the future. But will this actually work, or will more states decide to leave the EU just like the United Kingdom had through Brexit? Will we see Poland leave the EU? Will Italy be next? Maybe even France? Or is a European Federation inevitable? In today's geopolitics video, we'll being answering that question.
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[MonsieurDean]

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[gold-]

If Ukraine joins the EU it would probably lead a pathway for other Eastern European States to feel more comfortable because of the significant population and food production of Ukraine would give the Eastern European viewpoint more power. Probably the reason Poland is pushing for Ukraine to join.

[Hydra]

2:19 is where the Raid Sponsor ends.


Thank me later

[willhiggins]

It seems all the issues Europeans have with the union is more about specific policies, but not the concept of a unified Europe itself?
Which means reforming the system would be preferred over breaking it up?
That’s kinda interesting, considering a bunch of people thought that Brexit would lead to the disintegration of the EU by now.

[polarfox_]

Thanks for providing me something to watch! I was just listening to your Australian Empire series.

[diegoeldehistoria]

If it wants to happen and last it must keep a careful balance between being centralized enough to stand on its own in the international stage, but decentralized enough to respect the cultures and autonomy of every member state. That’s difficult and would make the first years of the federation tricky at best. The question of what would happen to the constitutional monarchs also stands.

[mehp]

7:02 Denmark’s interest in the EU isn’t tied to the UK at all. If anything it’s tied to Germany, which has always been the most important foreign relation of Denmark. But of course, access to the whole EU market is critical for Denmark’s economy, even more so now that Britain has left.

[jorehir]

Only two possible scenarios for unification:

1st - An integration process made of little steps (legal, cultural, etc), which is so slow that nobody actually realizes it's happening.
This would take decade, or even centuries. And it might be easily countered by unforeseen disruptive events.


2nd - An integration process that is forced by external forces, like a foreign power harshly menacing Europe.
This would be rapid, but highly unlikely given the current (and predictable) geopolitical situation.

The first route is being currently attempted. But Brexit and different economic crisis have constituted huge setbacks. But it could also be said that the soft menaces of Russia, China, USA and the migratory issue from Africa/NearEast, are countering the setbacks.

[srenvlundskovmortensen]

I think it is worth noting that Germany and Spain is already federations. that is maybe why the aren't opposed to another one. it is just more of what they already got.

[itsRLO]

I swear your custom flags get better every time

[Bram]

Question: Why do you consider Austria to be a core EU member and a potential future breakaway state?

[slynch]

Not a fear of Ireland leaving the EU, I know on paper it seems to some that we are closer to Boston and Bristol than to Berlin, but I can't even think of an industry aside from fisheries which wouldn't be outright annihilated by leaving the EU, and an absolute majority of Irish people of all political backgrounds recognise that leaving the EU is equivalent to one saying "I am British" which is political suicide.

On a side note, "Europe: an empire" is a great book, written a while ago now by an ex EEC bureaucrat, essentially outlines how and why the EU in the long run is necessarily going to move towards being a federal, but socially conservative state

[tomasvrabec]

Slovaks are generally pro Eu but I would definitely not say they are pro full integration.


Like Poland and Czechs, you are talking about a nation with a historic trauma of being ruled by larger powers be it Hungarians or Russians. If you just look at 20th century it contains 3 separate breakaway moments.

[sizanogreen]

One day the EU countries will truly unite, finally building up an united army and bringing them up against their one true enemy...
SWITZERLAND!
To finally end the torment of map nerds looking at maps of europe only to find a swiss-shaped hole in their EU.

[eevertl]

0:16 Finland was never part of the eastern block. A pretty major mistake coming from a historian whose purpose is to educate people.

Please try to remain more careful in the future. Otherwise great content

[charmyzard]

Finally, an attempt at a European superstate without war.
*Or would it be?*

[roflmywaffles]

If more members don't pull a Brexit it is almost certain as the EU tries to distance itself from the US

[JosefPiano]

While the EU has done a fair amount of good, I really really dislike how its run...

[axor]

Europe needs to stick together when facing challenges from Russia and China. The US being an unreliable partner is also important when taken into consideration.

[arno_grnfld]

I think that the federation would be possible, since there is an increasing threat from Russia and further off china. The breakaway countries could remain in a defensive pact/alliance with the Federation against russian influence