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End of the European Nation State?

Posted: Tue May 03, 2022 12:42 pm
by Octavious
So, in the last few days the Conference in the Future of Europe came to a close with some solid proposals for the EU to work towards. These can be found in the below link:

https://futureu.europa.eu/rails/active_ ... FINAL_.pdf

For those of you with less spare time, Guy Verhofstadt tweeted this summary

BREAKING — Conference on the Future of Europe approves radical overhaul of the EU: end of unanimity, abolishment of veto’s, launch of Joint Armed Forces of the Union, transnational lists and many other reforms…

The United States of Europe steps closer to reality than ever before. Personally I don't see how this has a chance of being voted for (although it's somewhat easier now than before Brexit), but should it come to pass is it something our Europeans would celebrate or look upon with sadness?

Re: End of the European Nation State?

Posted: Tue May 03, 2022 1:28 pm
by Jamiet99uk
My main concern at a "United States of Europe" would be how its citizens could democratically hold such a large entity to account.

But then, in recent years, the citizens of the UK, and England in particular, have proved unable to hold the Westminster parliament and the blatantly corrupt, self-enriching Tory government to account, so it's not as if we have an ideal model in the UK currently, either.

Re: End of the European Nation State?

Posted: Tue May 03, 2022 2:51 pm
by Matticus13
Without reading through the proposal, my under/over would be 30% Pro-USE. My knowledge of modern Europe is underwhelming, so... a guess.

Ukraine getting nuked might flip it positive. Short of that, most Europeans would be :'(

Re: End of the European Nation State?

Posted: Tue May 03, 2022 3:32 pm
by Jamiet99uk
Matticus13 wrote:
Tue May 03, 2022 2:51 pm
my under/over would be 30% Pro-USE
I have no idea what this phrase means.

Do you mean you think 30% of the population of the EU is in favour, and 70% against?

Could you explain in more detail?

Re: End of the European Nation State?

Posted: Tue May 03, 2022 3:57 pm
by Matticus13
It's where I would place my betting line. Casinos use them in sports betting. The customer would have to bet on a vote being under 30% Pro United States of Europe, or over.

Essentially, I believe that around 30% of Europeans would be in favor. Do you think Am I too high/low? I've never been within a thousand miles of Europe, so a guess on my part.

Re: End of the European Nation State?

Posted: Tue May 03, 2022 6:46 pm
by Jamiet99uk
No but do you think 70% are against?

What allowance are you making for the proportion of people who aren't sure, or would be too apathetic to take a stance?

Re: End of the European Nation State?

Posted: Tue May 03, 2022 10:27 pm
by Matticus13
None. I should have said 30% of the vote.

Re: End of the European Nation State?

Posted: Tue May 03, 2022 10:39 pm
by Jamiet99uk
Matticus13 wrote:
Tue May 03, 2022 10:27 pm
None. I should have said 30% of the vote.
What?

Re: End of the European Nation State?

Posted: Tue May 03, 2022 10:40 pm
by Jamiet99uk
30% of the vote are in favour but you have no idea about the vote against?

That's not really very useful.

Re: End of the European Nation State?

Posted: Wed May 04, 2022 12:03 am
by Matticus13
70% of those who cast a ballot would be against by default in the actual vote, unless there's a 3rd option available...