Scandinavian Union?

[Kagemusha]

This is purely hypothetical,but what do you guys think about creating an Scandinavian Union?Countries included could be Sweden,Norway,Finland,Denmark and maybe Iceland.
Im asking this because i think in EU.Our countries are pretty small and there are many people that are afraid that in future we will have very little to say in important issues in EU decicion making processes.
In my opinion i would support this Union because i think all Nordic countries have very similar policy and we share pretty common values.
I even think that EU wouldnt have an problem with such Union,because instead having many different opinions from our countries they would get only one from the Scandinavian Union.It would be intresting to know what the Norwegian people would think of this kind of Union,because they are not currently members of the EU.

[GonZ]

Great idea. Just extend it a bit further.

Seeing as it's imagination. How about an independent England joining too? To edgy for ya?

[Kagemusha]

Great idea. Just extend it a bit further.

Seeing as it's imagination. How about an independent England joining too? To edgy for ya?

So you would leave Scotland,Wales and Northern Ireland out of it?
I thought you guys allready have your own Union?

[GonZ]

I'd welcome them happily aboard as independent post UK union states.

[Kagemusha]

Okay.So you would dispand United Kingdom and you would join the Scandinavian Union.What benefits you see in joining up with Scandinavia?

[GonZ]

Well of course - we need a massive rebate!

The benefits are; as reserved northern states, we will work together and in peace. We will fight only when we have to. We will respect nature, drink lots vodka and watch hard core porn on the telly (but only if you want to)!

The real benefit is that it's not Federal Europe.

[Kagemusha]

Well of course - we need a massive rebate!

The benefits are; as reserved northern states, we will work together and in peace. We will fight only when we have to. We will respect nature, drink lots vodka and watch hard core porn on the telly (but only if you want to)!

The real benefit is that it's not Federal Europe.

Pretty good points there. Those are my kind of values.

[Al Khalifah]

I'm all for this idea too if England is invited to be a member.
From my time in Scandinavia I think they are a people we would easily get along with, much more easily than the Scots or Welsh. The values and belief seem to be the same. Also, there are no sponging states in such a union like there are in the European Union.

Check it out:
GDP Per Capita ($):
2 Norway 41,941
5 Iceland 35,686
6 Denmark 34,718
14 Finland 30,818
16 United Kingdom 30,309 (would be higher as England)
19 Sweden 29,537

Total GDP nominal ($):
4 United Kingdom 2,295,039 (would be lower as England)
19 Sweden 383,816
24 Norway 285,604
27 Denmark 265,934
31 Finland 204,385
86 Iceland 15,388

TOTAL: 3,450,166 - far greater than Germany.

I may be anti-EU but I am pro NU (Nordic Union).

[English assassin]

I think the Swedes would have to lighten up. A LOT.

ASlso IIRC Norway is sitting on a pretty fat pile of cash from north sea oil which they have salted away for future use. Very wise of them. Would they want to share that with the rest of Scandanavia, (inc their former overlords the Swedes)?

[Lazul]

.... hey, I get all warm in my pants when I see this kind of thread haha!

Im all for a Nordic Union.

As I see it, the problem with EU (besides that Franche is in it) is that many European countrys have little or Nothing in common.
For instance, why the hell should Turkey be in the EU, its a semi-democratic country that lacks human rights and tortures people.

The northern European countrys have much in common tho. We all speak English more or less, and Scandinavians understand each other... ehr, execpt those silly finnish folks Tho many speak Swedish
Our societies more or less look very similar. We all drink beer, we all drink vodka, our women are the most beutifull in the world. need I continue?

[Kagemusha]

I agree with you Lazul.
It would be really intresting to hear what the Norse and Dane patrons think about this?

[Kagemusha]

Slso IIRC Norway is sitting on a pretty fat pile of cash from north sea oil which they have salted away for future use. Very wise of them. Would they want to share that with the rest of Scandanavia, (inc their former overlords the Swedes)?

About the Norway.I dont see why other scandinavians would even try to get Norways oil money.

[Viking]

No, no! They`d just suck out all of our oil money!

[Kagemusha]

No, no! They`d just suck out all of our oil money!

We would not do that.Or would we?
Think if we would combine our industries.We would be pretty self-efficient(spelling?!)

[Ldvs]

ASlso IIRC Norway is sitting on a pretty fat pile of cash from north sea oil which they have salted away for future use. Very wise of them. Would they want to share that with the rest of Scandanavia, (inc their former overlords the Swedes)?

Probably never. Their oil reserves and fisheries are their greatest advantages and the origin of their wealth. If I were them I wouldn't have joined the EU either, for it meant the loss of control over these resources.

As for the Nordic Union, I see little in common between the ultra-liberal English policies and the Scandinavian "Welfare states". In my opinion this union wouldn't last long. On the other hand a pure Scandinavian union is probably the only solution for Nordic peoples to be heard, lost amongst a gigantic EU.

[English assassin]

As for the Nordic Union, I see little in common between the ultra-liberal English policies and the Scandinavian "Welfare states". In my opinion this union wouldn't last long.

Much as I like Scandinavia, I have to agree. A shared culture of drinking too much and fighting is no doubt a first class basis for a good night out, but it would make for a pretty ropey political union.

[Lazul]

lets leave the english out then!, and in the future once your have taken a few steps to the left you can join

[GoreBag]

Something about having Finland as a member of a Scandinavian union doesn't make sense to me. The only reason for really having the union would be cultural similiarity, and Finns aren't Germanic. Now, as to whether or not Scandinavia as a country should be on good terms with Finland is an unrelated matter, but a Scandinavian union seems to me as a nationalistic idea, suitable for pseudo-vikings. Neither would it make sense to have England get on the boat.

[bmolsson]

I don't understand why the Northern countries are not one country. Actually most of it has been Danish in history.......

[GoreBag]

I don't understand why the Northern countries are not one country. Actually most of it has been Danish in history.......

Same reason Austria and Germany aren't one and the same - politics.

[NimbleNota]

You guys should adopt Newfoundland, And Nova Scotia, we are much like you guys. And the Rest of canada wants us gone anyways

The Nordic Union, featuring England and the ScotiaLand band

hmmm a good sound to it indeed

[Byzantine Prince]

You guys should adopt Newfoundland, And Nova Scotia, we are much like you guys. And the Rest of canada wants us gone anyways

You're right.

*BP get's the finishing touches on his "screw newfieland" and "ban Nova Scotia" posters*

[Ironside]

I don't understand why the Northern countries are not one country. Actually most of it has been Danish in history.......

The only place that havn't been Swedish anytime in history (more or less, Norway was quite independent during the union) is Copenhagen, so not much to get from there.

Something about having Finland as a member of a Scandinavian union doesn't make sense to me. The only reason for really having the union would be cultural similiarity, and Finns aren't Germanic

The cultural similarity is that Finland was Swedish for about 600 years and is still very influenced of that time.

[Fragony]

If you do, can we tag along? Scandinavia + Holland would be ace, and we have a lot in common.

[Krusader]

There is a debate going on in Norway if we are to join EU or not. After the French & Dutch NOs to the constitution, it flared up a bit. Some parties wants to join, others does not.
Most fear that the EU will take control over our oil and fish resources, and if we join the EU Norway has to allow several other countries to fish in our waters, like Spain & Portugal. The fishermen are strongly against this. And the latest years the Norwegian currency has increased its value, and this heavily affected the coastal communities in northern Norway as it became harder to export fish and they lost money (will try and check this more thouroghly) and many fisheries and factories had to close down.

Some of those who wants to join the EU, only wants to do it so Norway won't be left out. Others are indifferent as Norway being member of the EFTA, has introduced most of the EU trade laws in that treaty (will try to find link to support this, heard it in TV news)

Some of the Nay-people mean EU will mean less independence for Norway, and others again see the EU as something that only benefits France & Germany.
The loss of oil money and the fear of Norway losing many benefits is also something many don't feel good about.

What I've listed are opinions note that. A political union with Sweden, Denmark & Finland would be good, and I think most Norwegians would be happy about that. We already have many treaties among us that benefit all, like free flow of labour (longer than EU) & good trade agreements.

And as a nitpick: A Nordic union would be better named, as Scandinavia is only Norway, Sweden & Denmark, at least in Norway
Wikipedia Definition

[Al Khalifah]

If you do, can we tag along? Scandinavia + Holland would be ace, and we have a lot in common.

This is going to end up as every EU nation that isn't a net beneficiery. Not a bad idea actually.
England does have quite a welfare state system, though not as strong as the ones of Scandinavia. I'm sure they'd be happy to change and become even more socialist if Scandinavians would come in and sort out their shocking public services.

I know which union I'd rather be in:

[Ja'chyra]

Hey, why are you guys letting in England and forgetting about the Scots, you know that we're much better liked.

[Ldvs]

There is a debate going on in Norway if we are to join EU or not. After the French & Dutch NOs to the constitution, it flared up a bit. Some parties wants to join, others does not.

Pray that you don't join, then. You have nothing to gain: you'll pay for French farmers and get nothing in return as your agriculture isn't very developed and your country is already richer than most of the other members.

Some of those who wants to join the EU, only wants to do it so Norway won't be left out.

This is a poor argument because with just over 4 million inhabitants, Norway would be a "light weight" in the EU.

Har en hyggelig dag

[Fragony]

This is going to end up as every EU nation that isn't a net beneficiery. Not a bad idea actually.
England does have quite a welfare state system, though not as strong as the ones of Scandinavia. I'm sure they'd be happy to change and become even more socialist if Scandinavians would come in and sort out their shocking public services.

I know which union I'd rather be in:

There is something very wrong with your net beneficiery map! We pay mucho more then you vikings do, Sweden is the #2 greed victim with 80 euro a person, we pay 180! And why on earth is Luxemburg the biggest receiver, it isn't like they are starving over there, nope not at all. Screw europe, bunch of thieves. Ya, Holland + scandinavia, makes sense because we are allready paying the damn thing.

[English assassin]

Lets call it......EFTA !

What about the Irish? Seems to me we are forming the "Cold places where people drink beer" union so Ireland would at least be invited to join. Besides a lot of Irish people work in England so it would save on paperwork.