Many people want to see an end to the EU, or just leaving the union. Brussels politicians are unpopular, and objectively speaking, it has been a long time since they did anything good for citizens, such as increasing their freedoms or contributing to their wallets. Instead, they are doing the opposite, with more regulations, taxes and levies.
Does the cooperation have a future, or should we just sink the ship as soon as possible?
It is tempting to agree with the critics, but why make it easy for ourselves: I want to point out a few things that could save the cooperation and make us all richer and freer.
Let’s turn the political playing field upside down. What would happen if people like Viktor Orban were at the helm of the EU instead of today’s zombie bureaucrats? Well, then the cooperation would probably take a different turn. The political content is, of course, just as important as the structure. But let’s focus on the structure first.
The European Parliament has no real function, except to be a bully and a conformist. The national parliaments should, of course, decide. We do not need a parliament above our own parliament. No one loves the noble art of politics that much. Proximity to power and oversight are also fundamental to democracy.
But what is the point of the EU if we do not have a common parliament?
The EU should be based on cooperation between sovereign states, with each state giving up a minimum of its self-government in specific areas that are actually important. And countries should, of course, be able to opt out of things they do not like.
The EU was sold as a free market project, an economic cooperation, but this is actually a poor starting point. All countries can negotiate trade agreements. Joint agreements between European countries would have been sufficient; it is a much simpler project than is portrayed. We can call it a customs union or a free trade area or whatever we like. This does not require a common parliament or heavy bureaucracy.
With this in mind, we realise that the EU project was intended from the outset to bind countries together more than through trade. The free trade agreements were only the beginning, and a tool for building a United Europe.
Perhaps there are more difficult things than trade? And more important challenges in a changing world?
A defence union could be significant, with each country contributing to the common defence. This is both practical and symbolic, with the EU suddenly becoming a superpower on a par with the United States, Russia and China. And, let’s not pretend otherwise, those with strong military power not only win wars, but also trade contracts and global respect. Our negotiating position would increase significantly vis-à-vis the rest of the world.
But aren’t we already allied with the Western world, standing together with the US and NATO? Is European military cooperation even necessary?
The idea is that we should be a military superpower in our own right, and not ally ourselves with the US, Russia or China. Or make ourselves dependent on these countries, even if we forge friendly ties. The EU should be a superpower on its own terms.
But wait, could we then become a challenger or even an enemy to the US, for example, in the long term? We would be indirectly competing with them, wouldn’t we?
Yes, this is what our competing countries fear, that Europe will unite in a meaningful way. Imagine normalised laws on taxation, migration and entrepreneurship. With all the knowledge we possess, Europe would quickly become a global powerhouse for technology and development.
Is it almost as if today’s EU is holding us back? How often are business-friendly laws, simplified bureaucracy, relaxations and deregulations enacted? Very rarely these days. Most of it is about restricting citizens and keeping us down, controlled and monitored.
Of course, a total dissolution of the EU would not be a bad thing either. Then the European states that feel close to each other could create their own economic partnerships and ties, or not. And new currencies and business centres could develop, to the benefit of us all. Europe would become a mosaic of separate nations, as it always has been.
But we would lose our global power and negotiating strength; our position as a superpower on the same level as other superpowers. And perhaps, if we play our cards right, we could become the strongest of them all.
But that’s imperialism! We can’t go down that road. We should be a peaceful union, not a warring empire.
Think again – if you are an advocate of the EU – be aware that we are only one vote away from creating a superpower. All it takes is for the ‘wrong’ politicians to be elected, and we’re there. The whole foundation is already in place. The creation of a common army and disagreement with the US (where we are already well on our way) – and we have a sovereign empire.
The EU debate rarely leads down such paths, but we should be aware of the monster we have created, and how it can possibly be tamed.
