[fredthomsen]

I don't agree that centralization in Europe is the answer, that's exactly how you end up relying on others manufacturing capacity. Decentralize more so when the political winds change you are not at the mercy of other countries if your own nation has no manufacturing capacity to speak of.

[oblio]

If those countries are small, you're not at their mercy, they are at yours. See Germany - Eastern Europe ;-)

If you rely on a superpower, then that's your own damn fault :-))