It appears that the enthusiasts of European integration are taking quite a bit of pleasure out of the European Union’s troubles. They expect that the demise of the euro will speed up the political union. For them, the United States of Europe is the only answer to the quagmire. But they are hardly aware of the sentiments of all and sundry. The Union had progressed unimpeded until the electorates of all the countries involved were brought into the game. And they are ever less enthusiastic about the project. The break up of the eurozone would hardly get them to change their ways. Perhaps the only thing that could change popular attitudes is a threat of war. Internecine war, as it were. Then the electorates would think again, for World Wars I and II are still alive in popular memory. World War III is the common fear. The best hope for the enthusiasts of European integration, it appears. War, anyone?

Addendum I (November 10, 2016)

Amazingly, the Russian threat does not seem to impress too many in the European Union. Neither does the threat of a growing number of immigrants from Asia and Africa. These threats have resulted in a few calls for a joint army, but such calls have been quickly abandoned for lack of general interest. To wit, not even World War III seems to be a threat that could change popular attitudes across the Union. Thus it seems to linger on without any rhyme or reason. If and when a real threat materializes, the vaunted Union is likely to fall apart without much fuss. Or any tears. The focus will shift toward national armies of yesteryear. Union, what Union?

Addendum II (June 5, 2018)

The Swedish government’s brochure ensuring that all Swedes are well prepared in the case of crisis or war is the case in point (“If Crisis or War Comes,” June 5, 2018). Commendable though it is in preparedness terms, it shows clearly enough that the European Union is best forgotten in tough times. Jean-Claude Juncker’s “White Paper on the Future of Europe” has failed to persuade the Union members of the need to increase defense expenditure (“On the European Defense Union,” March 19, 2017). We can thus expect that members of the Union will focus on their own defenses, as is evident from the latest report of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (“On World Military Spending,” May 6, 2018). Returning to European integration, it is pure fiction by now. The United States of Europe cannot be saved even by World War III.