How Long Can The Eu Last?

[youngmafbog]

And this from the Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/apr/24/trust-eu-falls-record-low

[Gromit]

Depends how things pan out. As it is now, it will only last 5 years. If it changes (which it must) it was last decades.

[mikey4444]

Apart from Britain, everyone else seems to want to join it. Not sure what that says other than its hardly unpopular is it ?

[modeller]

Does it actually exist ? If Germany pulled out the whole farce would collapse overnight.

[Kevink]

"Does it actually exist ? If Germany pulled out the whole farce would collapse overnight."

You seem to be confusing the EU and the Euro. I bet you think that the ECHR is something to do with the EU, too.

[ToraToraTora]

not surprising, the public have seen enough of this corrupt experiment. The only ones in favour are a few idiologists with white sticks and the passengers of the gravy train.

[modeller]

kevink I think you are the one who is confused.
What has the ECHR got to do with ymfs post and the article in the Guardian ?
Germany was a founder and dominate member of the EEC,the EC, and the EU both politically and financially .
Had Germany pulled out at any stage it would have collapsed.
Germany is desperate to avoid the divisive errors of the last century.
The current Euro problem is purely another example of Germany trying to keep the EU together.
Maybe you can now come up with another sarcastic irrelevant remark .

[jim360]

I suppose I'm one of those ideologists. Still, if an experiment isn't working it's time to either change the conditions of the experiment or stop doing it and start all over.

A united Europe can be better than a disunited one. It's hard to argue that this United Europe has been better. The Euro, in particular, was a failed experiment by trying to sail so many different ships at the same speed when several of them were pretty badly broken and held together only using duct tape, and another two were cruise liners.

In the long run, and call me stupid if you like, I'd hope for a United Europe to work. But that appears to be something we aren't "ready" for -- or don't want just yet.

[modeller]

It depends what you mean by a united Europe . A common market like EFTA could work , which is what Heath signed up for but the present, one size fits all, will never work. Throughout history Empires have collapsed largely for that reason.

[jake-the-peg]

// for but the present, one size fits all, will never work. Throughout history Empires have collapsed largely for that reason. //

Like the Federal United States of America for example?

[modeller]

The 'nearest' you might get to unity is a federal system as in the US with a common language and currency and each state/country having strong laws suitable for itself . I say nearest because even in the US there are big differences at all levels between the states. So what chance does E

[modeller]

HI jake see my post on that point. The US has suceeded but that has taken
centuries and a violent civil war . There are also wide variations in prosperity despite a common language and currency as the present economy problems illustrate.

[modeller]

Another point re the US the states were never independant countries
, on the contrary they were trying to build a new one. That's why those early settlements started from scratch to join together. Whereas in Europe the countries defend their culture and wont give it up easily.

[New Judge]

“Apart from Britain, everyone else seems to want to join it.”

Er…not quite true. The nations that are clamouring to join are those who, shall we put it kindly, don’t have a pot in which to urinate. I’d like to open a joint bank account with Richard Branson. It’s much the same ambition.

“Like the Federal United States of America for example? “

The States that came together to form the USA were not a diverse collection of independent nation states, jake. They generally had a single culture, mostly spoke a single language, had a single set of ideals and an already established single currency. Not quite the same thing as the EU.

The EU will survive so long as vain politicians of the independent nation states who put the whole mess together continue to be allowed by their electorates to perpetuate the shambles. Its end will eventually come but not before the continent has been impoverished and ruined.

[FredPuli43]

Well,it's not all bad,NJ. The rest of them have to speak English as it is, or soon will be having to. And even the United States has its losers; the old saying about the Mississippi tax holds true. That state has been a permanent drain on the country and its taxpayers.

[Canary42]

The original idea was fine, but the administration behind it has become so corrupt and self-serving that the whole edifice could soon come tumbling down. I personally would rather see reforms than let that happen, but the bureaucrats seem to have a stranglehold.

[Wharton]

After Scotland becomes independent in 2014 the remnants of the UK will be required to re-apply for admission to the EU. I look forward to how you get on.

[Gromit]

Wharton,

No they won't. Any changes to the UK do not affect our membership. Scotland would have to apply (if it wanted to) because it is a new entity. But we all know Scotland is unlikely to go for full Independence.

[ToraToraTora]

der... the UK is already a member! If you leave the UK then you leave the EU. Good luck wharton, I hope it works out.

[ichkeria]

Not necessarily

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-20155813

[New Judge]

Quite so, ichkeria.

Having read that article it says, basically, the EU will do what it wants about each individual aspect of Scotland’s proposed membership. As in the usual EU style, let’s not trouble ourselves too much with the rules we’ll just make them up as we go along. Of course Scotland should be required to apply for membership. The rest of the EU may not want a newly created sovereign state among its number immediately until it has had an opportunity to demonstrate that it is worthy of membership. Of course it should agree to adopt the Euro, as all new member states are. Of course it should adopt Schengen as all new members states must. It is said that the Scottish people have “acquired rights” of EU membership and so those rights should continue. But those rights were acquired when they were citizens of the UK and they no longer will be under an independent Scotland..

But, of course, this is the EU. A few palms will be greased, a few agreeable dinners followed by port and cigars will be hosted (funded by the hapless EU taxpayers, natch) during which hushed discussions will take place and - Hey Presto! - all the problems will be overcome. What a farce! If it wasn't so serious I'd split my sides.