The European Union

[Soul Saver]

What are your views about it?

Is it a force for good, should Europe be more united, even become a superstate, or is it a very bad thing?

Personally, I used to be very opposed to it, thinking that joining with it would undermine national sovereignty in an unacceptable way, and that its influence is bad.
Now though, I think that it may actually be a force for good. In that Europe's culture is not too divided, and after World War II and the Cold War, many cultural and social values in European nations are quite similar.
If Europe unites economically and politically, then its member nations can get back to the forefront, and the EU can make new waves in the globe, due to its high concentration of skilled, educated people, and shared values.
The power of most individual European nations has greatly declined over the last century, and Britain, Germany, and France, are barely great powers anymore. Many reasons for that, but the thing is, they are not opposed to each other anymore, I think WWII ended that for the most part. There's no point in warring or conflict, because many European political and social values are similar. Though the UK is quite the odd one out economically, in some ways more neo-liberal than others, which I think goes against the best interests of socio-economic equality and sustainability, whereas much of European consensus seems to be more Social Liberal, whichever way you put it. Most European nations seem to be having a hard time with the Reagan-Thatcher economic policies as pushed upon them by US and UK institutions. I think that the EU is actually more against unregulated capitalism, and is in some ways a counter to this. As has been shown by many of its policies. The EU constitution included some commitments to certain West European values, such as providing state healthcare, education, and social welfare for the needy, and appropriate trade regulations. This is why I think it is "good", rather than a force for "evil".
I think the idea of a "Federated States of Europe" is far from dead, but set back for some time. Europe is not ready for it just yet.

 

[Donald Trump]

What are your views about it?

Is it a force for good, should Europe be more united, even become a superstate, or is it a very bad thing?

Personally, I used to be very opposed to it, thinking that joining with it would undermine national sovereignty in an unacceptable way, and that its influence is bad.
Now though, I think that it may actually be a force for good. In that Europe's culture is not too divided, and after World War II and the Cold War, many cultural and social values in European nations are quite similar.
If Europe unites economically and politically, then its member nations can get back to the forefront, and the EU can make new waves in the globe, due to its high concentration of skilled, educated people, and shared values.
The power of most individual European nations has greatly declined over the last century, and Britain, Germany, and France, are barely great powers anymore. Many reasons for that, but the thing is, they are not opposed to each other anymore, I think WWII ended that for the most part. There's no point in warring or conflict, because many European political and social values are similar. Though the UK is quite the odd one out economically, in some ways more neo-liberal than others, which I think goes against the best interests of socio-economic equality and sustainability, whereas much of European consensus seems to be more Social Liberal, whichever way you put it. Most European nations seem to be having a hard time with the Reagan-Thatcher economic policies as pushed upon them by US and UK institutions. I think that the EU is actually more against unregulated capitalism, and is in some ways a counter to this. As has been shown by many of its policies. The EU constitution included some commitments to certain West European values, such as providing state healthcare, education, and social welfare for the needy, and appropriate trade regulations. This is why I think it is "good", rather than a force for "evil".
I think the idea of a "Federated States of Europe" is far from dead, but set back for some time. Europe is not ready for it just yet.

Firstly, Germany is a world power. They have by far the strongest economy of Europe, they are and have been, the main power of Europe. France imo wasn't even a world power after WW1, they fight pathetically in WW2 and get raped. Britain should realistically never have been as powerful as it was, it is an Island with 60 million people on it. It's no longer a power, but England is savvy, allying itself with US is smart. However, the US isn't the future, China and India are. So they woudl be better of making friends with them. I'm not sure what the state of anglo-sino relations is, but I doubt it would be that good.
I think the UK should have close diplomatic and economic ties with the EU. However it will never be a superstate, Europe is filled with so many different nationalities and religions that a superstate wouldn't be possible.

 

[Soul Saver]

Britain, Germany, and France, are still world powers, but their influence is declining. Europe is small compared to China and the US, but it also has a high concentration of skilled workers, which means that it can compete with both.
European culture is far from divisive, and whilst many nations retain their traditional cultures, you will find that alot of social values in European countries are similar.
The union need not be cultural, anyway. National culture must be preserved, and will be, but there will be elements of European unity and common values, naturally.
An economic and political confederation would probably be the best bet. Technical issues, challenges, etc, can be overcome. Nations could still retain foreign relations sovereignty and autonomy, as regards to anything not addressed in the constitution.

And also, Britain became so powerful because of its skill and hard-earned empire. Even the smallest nations can rock the world. Yes, I am proud of Britain's achievements in the past, and I am prepared to defend its empire in history, but I realise that it is an age gone by, and that a more united Europe is a viable way forward. I think that the UK's close relationship with the US is wise, but it is not a fair relationship. It would benefit the UK much more to work more closely with the EU, obviously. Perhaps then the neo-liberal economic policies implemented in the Thatcher years could be somewhat undermined.

China and India could be a close allies, though the EU will be competing with it, and economically, the UK wouldn't stand a chance alone. The US is still a superpower, but China is a threat to it. Ultimately, I think that there will be a world war, with or without use of nuclear weapons, which if it does not destroy most of the developed world, will result in another major power shift. Who will come out on top, who knows? Though there are several likely possibilities. The US may or may not retain its status, albeit with a decline in power... though this speculation and estimation is for another thread.