Expansion of the EU
 

The EU recently expanded itself yet again by adding new additions which include the post-communist Czech Republic. I think that the expansion of the EU is a good thing and it, as well as Japan, should be in our interest. Any thoughts??? ? ~Boodleboy322

For the less developed countries, yes, I think it's helpful. It creates jobs and forces the better off countries to invest in their industry and infrastructure.

I fear what the EU may become in the long run though. I'm not a big fan of this "one world" concept. Some folks think that nationalism is something that should be left behind. I think that having socialist countries out there like most of those in Europe shows us how good we have it.

Also, as with the UN, the larger and more diverse an international group like this becomes, the less effective it is in making decisions and actually getting things done.

<cough> socialism <cough> new world order <cough>

Originally I thought the whole EU was a great idea. I took several political science classes in college that focused on Western Europe - including one that focused solely on the EU, its history and political structure, etc.

But now, the more I think about it and the more I read, I really really don't think it's a good idea at all. Lowering trade barriers is a great idea, but whenever nations decide (or are pressured into deciding) to give up their sovereignty, it makes me shudder. The EU has also taken a definite turn to the left in the last few years, and become quite hypocritical on a number of issues.

Just to name one, one of the main reason the World Trade Organization talks in Cancun crashed and burned is because of Europe's indefensible position on agriculture subsidies. They say they want to give the developing nations a chance to compete, then their governments give out such large subsidies to their farmers that it completely destroys the market for any outsiders. The US got a lot of blame for the Cancun talks disintegrating, but our agriculture subsidies are nothing compared to the EU's.

I think the UN is a terrible idea too. I don't think the US should have to submit itself to any external group, especially one that seems to be overly influenced by nations that are NOT our friends. Look at how China and the USSR have played such a big role for decades. I don't think the world's oldest and most successful democracy needs to let itself be governed by a vote that includes Iran, Libya, Cuba, Syria, [name your favorite dictator here].

There's a book called "The Creature from Jekyll Island: A Second Look at the Federal Reserve" by Edward Griffin. Read it, and then tell me what you think about the EU, or any of these groups that attempt to step above a nation's sovereign independence.

Is the EU a good thing? That is the question, is it not? I think for the countries in Europe the EU is a good thing. Even though the direction of the EU is Napoleon esque, I don't think any country will be giving up it's national identity anytime soon.

As for international bodies, I think they are a good idea. They shouldn't control the actions of nations, but the idea of an international forum where peace and human rights are the goal is noble, and should be continued.

Then again, I don't think socialism is evil.

I don't think socialism is evil either. I'm just pretty darn convinced, after all of my studies and reading, that it does not work on the large scale - like with a nation.

I think socialist-type systems could work with a small group, like a commune farm, but as soon as it gets bigger than a little village, or tries to handle advanced industries and economic structures, it is doomed to either completely fail, or at best be extremely inefficient.

Of course, any structure that gets nations together and encourages open dialogue, instead of just yelling and throwing bombs at each other is great. But when the group turns from dialogue and humanitarian efforts and starts trying to directly interfere with the decisions that a national government makes, especially regarding matters of our national security, then I am not comfortable with it.