What does history tell us of ill-constructed empires like the European Union?

Question

Does the end come sooner or later, and what are the consequences for those who have to deal with the remaining fragments of empire?

Answer 1

All empires are by their very nature ill-constructed. They are built in a hurry without any thought for subsequent generations. Empires collapse when the reason for their existence evaporates. What history tells us about empires:

Roman empire. Founded to defend against the Persians. When the Persian threat goes, empire fragments and taken over by barbarians who run it more efficiently.

American empire. Founded for mutual defence against a perceived British attempt to regain control. When all European influence is eradicated from North America, the empire degenerates into civil war. It is reconstructed only to prevent the threat of further war.

British Empire. Founded as a means for world trade in times when travel and communications are difficult. When world trade becomes the norm, the empire has no further use and is dismantled.

European empire (It is an empire no matter what anyone calls it!). Founded as a bulwark against the Soviet Union. Now that the Soviet Union is gone, the European empire is dead. We are just waiting for the funeral. Let us hope it will be peaceful.

Answer 2

Your thesis - the EU is an empire - is misfounded and simply incorrect.

On the matter of empires, history clearly and uncontrovertibly shows us that far flung empires ultimately fail because the governmental, military, social, and economic costs to maintain the empire infrastructure eventually exceed the production capacity of its total economy. Empires are simply too big and too costly to survive. This always has been and will be the case.

On the matter of the European Union, the sovereign states that make up Europe realize that global economic factors have forced them to circle the wagons in a loose federation that allows them to act as a single economic market to protect its interests and peoples. Without the EU, many of its states would simply deteriorate to a point where their societies would crumble. Banding together is what is saving the region as the financial power and market growth swings to the Asia Pacific region and China becomes the # 1 economic power.

A key thing to realize about the EU is that it is founded on shared social and political principles rather than a military one. It is the military that holds an empire together, not the central bank.

As for "fragments" the wealthier nations from around the world ultimately buy key assets within those countries that are falling too far behind to recover on their own.

In the 21st century, the primary driver of growth and progress involves two things: Money and Religion (not liberty, or justice, or freedom).

Answer 3

The E.U is not an empire. It's something more than a common market and something less than a political union. Whatever it is, it might be ill-constructed, but that of course depends on what you think the E.U should be.

In my view, there should be more POLITICAL power being delivered to the European Institutions,and more democratic representation so that the E.U becomes a real political political actor capable of dealing with the challenges both at international level, and specially at the economic level, defining our economic stand and becoming and active actor for this purpose. It's the only way out of globalisation anarchy. Nowadays, nation.states can do little or nothing to really improve the economy and the social welfare of their people, and the E.U has still no political power to take a stand on it. Nightmare scenario for common people and a great scenario for transcontinental big business and corporations.

Either that or drop the Euro and devolve economic power to the nation states. But, with the late option, we'll all end up losing in the long term.

Answer 4

All empire can be seen as "ill-constructed" in that they are often based on the maintenance of raw power. I don't think I agree with your characterization of the European Union. The EU is not technically an "empire", as say the Roman Empire or the Ming Dynasty were. Of course, no "empire" and no other form of government will last for ever...Empires by their very nature seem far more "ill-constructed" in decline than when they are in ascent.

Answer 5

Your question contains a statement or two which are debatable if not entire nonsense. The European Union definitely is not an empire. It may be ill-constructed, I'd say it has its merits and its faults. I cannot see a valid historical parallel which would give us a chance for a comparison.

Answer 6

All empires eventually fall, but empires are usually constructed by conquest, not willful unification. I think what we have now is unprecedented, since the countries in the EU are so interdependent economically. Should the EU fall apart, an economic crisis would definitely follow.

Answer 7

this complete ingredient is disgusting,this kind of large style of cuts for us consumer-friendly human beings yet this kind of large style of rises for them,that is an absolute shame! maximum individuals are fortunate to be sure a small pay upward push,many take a decrease of their wages to save their jobs and each and every of the at the same time as amenities which include the NHS,policing and education are suffering because our usa is meant to be so poor,humorous how that isn't any longer poor for the MP's. I easily do not recognize how any of them can ask for the conventional public to vote for them at the same time as they're doing this,i'd be out to vote on the subsequent conventional election despite the indisputable fact that it is going to in straight forward words be to ruin a paper with 'not one of the above'.

Answer 8

the example of an ill-consrtucted empire is USSR, not EU