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Is the European Union a superpower?

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fujarome
Posts: 8630 - Karma: 1,561
Something we had a small discussion about today in one of my classes and its never bad to have a semi-intelligent thread going.

So, is the EU a superpower? Word is that the French military and the british military are considering a sort of merger, in which they would each still exist as separate forces for the most part, but certain aspects would be shared, like aircraft carriers, equipment etc etc. That would mean just those 2 would be a considerable force.


Sep 27 2010 5:54PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,398
not like the french/english don't side together anyway...
Sep 27 2010 5:56PM
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1337
Posts: 31038 - Karma: 29,003
Pros: Germany, Italy
Cons: France
Sep 27 2010 5:56PM
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1337
Posts: 31038 - Karma: 29,003
britain isn't part of the EU btw...
Sep 27 2010 5:56PM
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Tasche
Posts: 5422 - Karma: 99
We are all going to have to unite pretty soon anyway to fight the Muslims, might as well get a head start.
Sep 27 2010 5:58PM
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fujarome
Posts: 8630 - Karma: 1,561
umm...yes they are. They just don't adhere to all the rules such as the common currency for some reason. I wonder why that is anyways...
Sep 27 2010 5:58PM
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
I'm not a huge IR guy but in some ways yeah they could be considered one i'd say. i mean, what defines an effective super power? an entity that has economic, cultural, military power to be reckoned with? I'd say they fit the bill
Sep 27 2010 5:58PM
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fujarome
Posts: 8630 - Karma: 1,561
that was the conclusion the prof came to. Like exactly the same, down to the requisites of being a superpower.

I'm not sure though, because i think the bigger countries like france and germany would look out for themselves if the need ever came up, but wouldn't care too much if one of the smaller nations got into some trouble. Basically i think if the shit hit the fan, it wouldn't do as well as the US or one of the other major players
Sep 27 2010 6:01PM
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geteducated
Posts: 6410 - Karma: 86
yes, if they worked together. their bureaucracy prevents them from becoming one.
Sep 27 2010 6:03PM
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
yeah i think you may have a point, in some ways they could act as an entity very well but there are possible scenarios that would prove troublesome


by the way, you seem like a pretty smart dude so i thought, better some idiot on the internets tell you than someone whose opinion matters in real life: "anyways" isnt a word, it's just anyway, no s (england post)
Sep 27 2010 6:08PM
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fujarome
Posts: 8630 - Karma: 1,561
haha, yea i know the anyways thing. It's just become a bad habit that I'm trying to break. I never actually say the word, but i type it all the time, which actually makes it harder to not use. Just one of those annoying things i somehow picked up, and carried since.

we were also debating if the EU as a whole could match the US. That got interesting since im an american studying in england...very different impressions of each other's countries.
Sep 27 2010 6:12PM
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
haha word just making sure


the EU versus the US is a really interesting (and scary) idea. my 2 cents? i think we'd be better off because we are one country (most of the time..) and have waay better military locations all over the world. i mean, we have bases all over eurasia, but do the EU countries have anything over here (dont really have much of a reason to)

do you mean like a war? or just competing economic powers?
Sep 27 2010 6:16PM
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fujarome
Posts: 8630 - Karma: 1,561
whichever. Economically I think is a fairer comparison because they are a bit more similar in the division, in that smaller groups are connected through 1 higher entity, like a state in a country. And europe as a whole is more spread out, so it somewhat matches the US. There aren't many individual countries where you can go from beaches, to mountains, to plains, to mountains, and back to beaches.

as for a war....there are just too many factors. If the EU invaded the US, i think the US would succeed. But if the US invaded the EU, the EU would win. Fought over completely neutral, even terms then i think the USA might just have the edge, just because in the end all of the forces respond to the same power. Marines, air force, navy, army all respond to the president. Whereas in europe, each military responds to it's own leaders, then the leaders respond to the EU. Not as direct a chain of command and that can make the difference
Sep 27 2010 6:21PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
ROFL!

This thread is véry enjoyable to read!
Anyway, let me clear up some things as a European here;

1: Britain is a member of the EU, they're just to cocky to use the Euro.
2: Yes the EU is a superpower. We have one of the most stable currencies in the world. 4 outta 8 countries of the G8 are EU countries and we almost have 500 million members (so that's about 170 (?) more than in the us).

No matter how you put it: the european union is définitely a super power...

It's so fun to see in what vacuum americans live - no offence!
Sep 27 2010 6:22PM
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1337
Posts: 31038 - Karma: 29,003
oh fuck, true that. That always confuses me :\
Sep 27 2010 6:23PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Oh and 1337, Italy sucks cock. They're not even a democracy anymore (according to the state/berlusconi they are, but according to some whatever they can't be considered one anymore. Berlusconi, the italian prime minister, is owner of all (big) newspapers, radio- and TV stations. He controls what people see and hear. It's really scarry)
Sep 27 2010 6:26PM
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fujarome
Posts: 8630 - Karma: 1,561
i read they also did it to maintain their own economic stability regarding interest rates etc. Every european country had differently valued money beforehand, and so exchange rates were established. It wouldn't have cost britian huge sums to switch over.

and actually, this isn't me living in my own world bubble, this was brought up by my professor here in england, who doesn't believe that europe is a superpower quite yet.
Sep 27 2010 6:26PM
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killa_cam
Posts: 13143 - Karma: 15
hell no dude. greece just ate complete shit and spain is next.
Sep 27 2010 6:32PM
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YoungJah
Posts: 1106 - Karma: 66
Britain has been a member of the EU since 1973.
Sep 27 2010 6:39PM
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fujarome
Posts: 8630 - Karma: 1,561
italy is basically a big corrupt party, and it would almost be unexpected for them to have a properly functioning government.
Sep 27 2010 6:40PM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
I'm sorry, but the EU's headquarters is in Belgium.

No superpower will ever have their headquarters in Belgium.

Sorry to any Belginians out there.
Sep 27 2010 6:41PM
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Mike-O
Posts: 14593 - Karma: 1,089
I don't think so, as the EU cannot regulate against a country's legislation unless they adhere completely to it. So no, we are not a "superpower" until we share similar interests and 100% compliancy to EU legislation between all EU countries and a common denominator for defense force activities.
Sep 27 2010 6:43PM
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fujarome
Posts: 8630 - Karma: 1,561
I believe the correct term is belgimite.
Sep 27 2010 6:44PM
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BULLSEMEN
Posts: 1289 - Karma: 16
What about a superpower in the chocolate industry?
Sep 27 2010 6:46PM
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grown-ninja
Posts: 3031 - Karma: 175

Its hardly a superpower, look at whats going on now.  By decentralizing their national banks (not that a centralized bank is good) when one country messes up, it effects all the other countries.  For instance if greece had there own national bank (once again i hate national banks) they could print money (which again isnt good) to fund their debt.  INstead of beggin the Eu to change interest rates that negativly that will effect "prospering" countrys such as Germany

Sep 27 2010 7:39PM
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thelizards
Posts: 4042 - Karma: 43
We could still kick their ass
Sep 27 2010 7:53PM
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steezeeepolizeee
Posts: 8756 - Karma: 796
it has france, therefore not a superpower
Sep 27 2010 7:56PM
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fujarome
Posts: 8630 - Karma: 1,561
france has been kicking ass in wars since long before the americas had even been found.
Sep 27 2010 7:59PM
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