As if it couldn't get any more rediculous

[Kralizec]

The EU didn't unify Germany.
Inclusion of Spain - politically OK. Economically not so great
Inclusion of the Balkans - as always a trip into the mire.
Eastern Expansion - Made the EU massively unweildly politically

I do not see how, barring Spain, any of the others how the EU has prevented wars / caused peace. The USSR and the USA brandishing nukes did most of this - but perhaps not such a nice fairy story.

That the USA and the USSR were by far the biggest players left in 1946 doesn't mean that the "midgets" France and west Germany couldn't still have a brawl between the two of them. The coal and steal community created a forum where countries could make shared decisions about natural recources and general economic policy. It ended Germany's exclusion from the world theatre as a pariah state. The ECSC and successors undeniably did stabilise Europe. Being hemmed in by two superpowers was an important motivation to pursue stability and European cooperation - I'd hesistate to label it a "cause".

Eastern Europe - look at the various conflicts these countries waged between years 1918 and 1938. It's an extremely unstable region that was only kept in line by Austro/German/Russian domination and later on by Soviet repression. These tensions were anything but resolved in 1991, in fact they still manifest them today on occasion. Since 1991 it's been largely quite though because these countries all wanted to enter the EU, and the EU frowns upon use of force to settle petty border disputes.

[rory_20_uk]

That the USA and the USSR were by far the biggest players left in 1946 doesn't mean that the "midgets" France and west Germany couldn't still have a brawl between the two of them. The coal and steal community created a forum where countries could make shared decisions about natural recources and general economic policy. It ended Germany's exclusion from the world theatre as a pariah state. The ECSC and successors undeniably did stabilise Europe. Being hemmed in by two superpowers was an important motivation to pursue stability and European cooperation - I'd hesistate to label it a "cause".

Eastern Europe - look at the various conflicts these countries waged between years 1918 and 1938. It's an extremely unstable region that was only kept in line by Austro/German/Russian domination and later on by Soviet repression. These tensions were anything but resolved in 1991, in fact they still manifest them today on occasion. Since 1991 it's been largely quite though because these countries all wanted to enter the EU, and the EU frowns upon use of force to settle petty border disputes.

The Flattened French and the Occupied Germans starting a brawl? Between them, cutting words and sticks would have been the tools.

Eastern Europe has been transiently bought into peace. There is almost no area of the planet that throwing large sums of money will not encourage stability for as long as the money flows.

[SoFarSoGood]

That the USA and the USSR were by far the biggest players left in 1946 doesn't mean that the "midgets" France and west Germany couldn't still have a brawl between the two of them.

Get real... Germany was occupied.

[Vladimir]

Get real... Germany was occupied.

Still is.

[Kralizec]

Yes, west Germany was occupied for four years. Since then, plenty of time to rearm and settle past unresolved differences of opinion, yet never did.

France had been engaging in overseas brawls immediately following WW2, everything from the Suez to Indochina.

It's perfectly plausible. I never said it had to be an impressive fight.

[Hooahguy]

Im still annoyed that Al Gore won it in 2007 instead of Irena Sendler, who saved over 2,500 Jewish children from the Holocaust.
Argue all you want about Global Warming, Gore did not deserve that award.

Neither did Obama.

[SoFarSoGood]

Yes, west Germany was occupied for four years. Since then, plenty of time to rearm and settle past unresolved differences of opinion, yet never did.

Rubbish; BAOR (British Army of the Rhine) left in the '90s. The US and Britain still have bases in Germany. Germany was unable to go to war because A. It was divided and B. Western German forces were incorporated into NATO. You may as well argue that the Cold War deserves a Peace Prize.

[Fragony]

Rubbish; BAOR (British Army of the Rhine) left in the '90s. The US and Britain still have bases in Germany. Germany was unable to go to war because A. It was divided and B. Western German forces were incorporated into NATO. You may as well argue that the Cold War deserves a Peace Prize.

The real occupation lies in Fort Knox, Germany's gold is right there

[HoreTore]

The real occupation lies in Fort Knox, Germany's gold is right there

My conspiracy alarm goes DING DING DING now. Gawd, you realize I have to go all the way to another room to shut it off, thus abondoning my coffee for half a minute?

[HoreTore]

Rubbish; BAOR (British Army of the Rhine) left in the '90s. The US and Britain still have bases in Germany. Germany was unable to go to war because A. It was divided and B. Western German forces were incorporated into NATO. You may as well argue that the Cold War deserves a Peace Prize.

NATO has been nominated and considered several times. And Gorby got the prize.

[Fragony]

NATO has been nominated and considered several times. And Gorby got the prize.

Of course he did, that is why the Noble price for peace is worth just as much as whatever you get when buying a pack of cornflakes. What the commision doesn't understand is that they won't be taken seriously anymore if they insist on shoving their opinion into throats. It was kinda fun to see Obama being absolutely emberrassed for recieving it he as he really didn't understand, and neither did I to be honest.

[HoreTore]

Of course he did, that is why the Noble price for peace is worth just as much as whatever you get when buying a pack of cornflakes. What the commision doesn't understand is that they won't be taken seriously anymore if they insist on shoving their opinion into throats. It was kinda fun to see Obama being absolutely emberrassed for recieving it he as he really didn't understand, neither did I to be honest.

The Nobel prize is one of several other peace prizes. It is not the biggest in terms of money. It is, however, the most prestigious and famous. Why? Because of the choices made by its committee.

Gorby is among the most obvious candidates ever.

The thing is, Frags, that you do not support the ideals in Nobels will. You disagree with the premise of the prize. As such, it is no wonder that you disagree. And that's also why your opinion is irrelevant to the committee.

[Husar]

Germany was unable to go to war because A. It was divided

I suppose that means Korea can't go to war either and there's no reason to have all these US forces down there?

As for the EU not being a person, corporations are people, too!

That said the US should have gotten it, there are two ways to support that argument:

1. They enforce the pax americana by killing everyone who disagrees

2. They are evil but at least they draw all the other bad guys' attention so the rest of us can live in peace



I've always thought that the EU played a big role in European cooperation and cooperation is one of the keys to establish peace.
You can argue that it's not perfect as long as you want but you're not perfect yourself so why should I even accept your argument?

Just wait until Putin replaces Barroso and Russia joins at the same time, that's the first step to chinese inclusion etc.
There are great plans and world peace will come, you guys just lack vision and enthusiasm and optimism.

[HoreTore]

Bringing peace isn't enough to get the Nobel prize.

You have to bring peace in the manner described in his will. Which means peace brought about by a reduction of standing armies, not the peace enforced by large armies.

[SoFarSoGood]

1. They enforce the pax americana by killing everyone who disagrees

I agree: It was NATO and the Soviet Bloc that stopped war.

You have to bring peace in the manner described in his will. Which means peace brought about by a reduction of standing armies, not the peace enforced by large armies.

And the EU's contribution to the SALT Treaties?

You can argue that it's not perfect as long as you want but you're not perfect yourself so why should I even accept your argument?

You do not have to! You can ignore me if you wish . But you cannot ignore the unelcted people who rule over both you and I.