Quote Originally Posted by Adrian II View Post
Uhh, hit me

Well, I don't think the EU is first and foremost about economics. And it certainly isn't first and foremost about a common currency. Remember we got along well without one for 50 years. Most of the present eurozone economies would be much more competitive without the euro; the weaker ones would be able to devaluate and the stronger wouldn't have to bail out the weaker ones in the midst of a recession.

Most importantly, each country would retain (or regain) its sovereignty. Further centralisation according to the Merkozy plan would mean putting half a dozen member states under guardianship of an outside agent, i.e. the ESFS or so-called 'future European IMF'. It would spell the end of democracy for these countries since the richer member states would propose to them a deal akin to the one Athens proposed to the Melians.
EU formed out of the EEU, not out of a revolution, it didn't have anything like the Enlightened Independence statements of the US. It isn't a Federation of nations like Australia. It was formed out of an Economic Union, who once it dropped the Economic part out of the EEU created the Euro.

From the outside it has looked first and foremost about the money. It's not about representation for the people, they can't directly vote for EU officials. The only thing they get is travel, trade and the ability to spend money... hmm tourism and trade seems pretty much economic to me. And once things start getting tough something as benign in the long term as a common currency is looking at getting dropped. Forgive me if it doesn't tarnish the capabilities of the EU... after all it ain't a military superpower... it's supposed to be an economic one.