[ticks]

I don't know where I read this, but I always thought the EC/EU/Euro was an effort by the allied countries to tame a future German economy. If that's true, then Germany distancing themselves would surely defeat the purpose of the union.

[jcfrei]

what? where did you get that from?! the EU is about european integration and reducing transaction costs within the union, thereby generating a stronger economy of all nations.

[pgeorgi]

Keeping Germany in check was the main reason for its predecessors (Montanunion, EWG). They called it "ensuring peace", but from a French POV that meant the same, and the Montanunion was proposed by them.

It was more successful in driving business than thought, so the scope was extended over time. No need to stick to a single goal only.

[planetguy]

If that were really true, why would the Germans have gone along with it? The Germans aren't idiots, and as the biggest player they wouldn't have joined the Euro unless they thought it was in their own interests.

[myspy]

Don't be afraid, we have no interest in fighting wars and shit. I don't think this will happen. Europe has a more social view on the world than the rest, especially the US.

[Nrsolis]

I think this viewpoint represents the best example of the triumph of hope over experience.

European history has been littered with examples of bitter and costly wars between nations and states. We (the world) are still resolving the aftermath of the Bosnian conflict.

There are very smart people wringing their hands over the collapse of the EU and the kind of social turmoil that might develop if the economies of these nations fail. The riots we saw in Greece and Italy were just a teaser.

In 2008, when the US was looking at its own financial crisis, one of the items on the minds of the policymakers was the very real prospects of riots in US cities. There were stories of financiers packing up and leaving the country in anticipation of what might happen.

The biggest mistake you can make is to think your country is immune to ruin. History has shown us many times that it comes quickly and with little or no warning.

[pnathan]

Nrsolis has read his/her history. In addition, I'd like to point out that humans are still humans, and cultures can change very fast given a precipitating crisis.

[Nrsolis]

I'd offer the opinion that "people" haven't changed much over the centuries.

The fact that we still have the same problems across cultures, genders, races, and geography seems to bolster this view.

Things change, but not nearly as much as we might like, and only at the margins.

[EdiX]

At the moment I agree. But if the recession continues for a few more years I'm not so sure, in Greece extreme right parties are already picking up steam.

[excuse-me]

Remember right wing in Europe is different from the US.

Far-right in Europe means you want to keep 'socialist' free health care and schools - you just don't want to share them with anybody with darker skin.