If they are smart they will all go national.
I'm confused by this. Why is that smart?
Would it be smart if all the States in the US, all declared themselves independent countries from Washington?
In the Unites States there is only one language was spoken - officially - until recently: English.
A nation is defined by the language it speaks. The countries where there are more than one language is accepted as equal are few and far between, but even in those countries the so-called coexistence is mostly tenuous and artificial.
A United States of Europe has always been and always will be a fool's pipe dream for that reason.
Oh I don't think so. Most of Europe can speak English these days.
While native people have their own languages, just like American Natives have their own languages, most all have some level of English. Germany for example, actively recruits people from other countries, primarily in English job postings.
I have a relative who works for a major corporation, and they sent him to Germany to work. He was perfectly able to work and function there, with zero ability to speak German.
I read a blog by a University professor in economics, which was invited to go to Germany, and teach for 1 school year. He did so, and all the students had a fluent understanding of English.
Now obviously, some nations are less multi-lingual than others. Spain isn't so hot. But even so, most all have a level of English literacy, or some other language. Typically French.
Interestingly, we have two guys working with me right now, who both speak french, and English, and neither came from a french or English speaking country.
So this idea that somehow the EU can't be the United States of Europe.... no I don't think it's far fetched at all. Everyone said the same thing about the Single Currency. Now they have a regional currency.
Russia is pushing for a regional currency in the Eurasian Economic Union, and China has also agreed there needs to be a new regional common currency.
The major power players around the world, are all moving towards unions, and common currencies, and economic zones. Even Australia has the PIF. Pacific Islands Forum, which aims to create an economic zone for independent nations around Australia. Open trade, more economic integration, free movement of people. Sounds like the EU.
This is happening everywhere.
Canada Prime Minister created the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America in 2005. While that particular agreement failed to materialize, you know what happened in 2011, right?
On February 4, 2011, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and U.S. President Barack Obama announced a new security and prosperity initiative with plans to "pursue a perimeter approach to security in ways that support economic competitiveness, job creation, and prosperity".
Same deal.
This is going to happen. It's not a conspiracy.. it's just how the world works. The more integrated you become both economically, and militarily, the more bargaining power you have on both fronts.