I do not live in Europe, but this line struck me:
"force everyone to do better". Which I interpret as you can't make decisions on your own, big daddy government must make those decisions for you.
The EU forces a minimum standard for you have to implement, correct. Like not pumping unfiltered sewage into a freshwater reservoir, giving a damn about air pollution, non-toxic children's toys etc.
> The EU forces a minimum standard for you have to implement, correct. Like not pumping unfiltered sewage into a freshwater reservoir, giving a damn about air pollution, non-toxic children's toys etc.
And it's not just health or industrial standards, the EU forces a bunch of legal and human rights onto countries as well, many EU countries have gotten repeatedly and rightfully dinged over various deficiencies.
No, it's a recognition of the tragedy of the commons. If there is a super-entity that regulates the commons you get better results for every individual.
If each entity acts in their own self-interest — which nations very regularly do — then you get worse results for every individual.
Yep, sometimes government can be a force for good you know. I'm assuming your from the US (that's where I generally find the "big daddy government" rhetoric mainly comes from).
These are not made-up examples.