Why don't we already have a North American Union, similar to the EU?

Question

With the advent of post-Fordist globalisation, instantaneous communication networks across several cultures and languages, and increased worldwide human migration, national borders and national identity are becoming more arcane and dated. Supranational entities such as the European Union have grown stronger over the years while nascent entities like the African Union have recently arose. Given these conditions, it seems odd that there does not exist a North American Union between the countries of Canada, the United States, and Mexico for the purpose of coordinating increased trade and security ties in the name of greater cooperation and mutual benefit for the region. The idea is politically infeasible for the foreseeable future, this despite the fact that supranational government is viewed as appropriate elsewhere, and indeed a global government will probably be in humanity's distant future if our species exists for a few more centuries. What has held the North American Union back?

Answer 1

The E.U. is the world's only supranational organization; that is a multi-national political entity capable of legislation applying to domestic politics. Supranationalism is in its infancy, there is no precedent suitable for extrapolating the potential costs/benefits of an American Union.

Remember, the E.U. began as the European Coal and Steel Community, an organization created to make an another intra-European conflict economically impossible. North America has experienced no such crippling conflict.

Additionally supranational authorities, by their very definition, erode state sovereignty. North American political constituencies are not prepared to surrender rights to an international authority.

Economically, integration with Mexico is a double edged sword. Agricultural subsidies aside, the United States simply is not prepared or willing to integrate its labor market with its southern neighbor.

Cultural commonalities exist, but not at a sufficient magnitude. North American languages and socio-political structures are vary far more than those of western Europe. Mexico is historically oligarchic and corporatist, whereas the United States' political culture is based on pluralism. Canada and the United State's have greatly differing systems of government; presidential and parliamentary. This too poses a barrier to politico-economic Union.

Europe's historical commonalities are unique. Integration of a similar scale to the E.U. will likely prove highly problematic to Norht America, South America, or any other region.

Answer 2

By tradition and culture most Americans are scared of powerful governments. There is no way US citizens will willingly let a Canadian or Mexican have any direct input on their lives. The US government can barely regulate assault weapons and impose taxes, much less force americans to use pesos and learn french. On the other hand we do have a trading bloc with Canada and Mexico that was formed by NAFTA. The basis of the European Union is the European coal and steel community, a trading bloc itself. Out of this trading bloc came the EU, but I think this is as far as the US will go. In addition to fears of big government, Europe differs in its size and history, most Europeans are amazed that they can drive for 8 hours and still be in the same state in the US, Cali and Texas for an example. Open borders and close ties are more needed in a continent like Europe than in North America. Europeans have a history of killing each other in bloody conflicts and some think by building close ties it will help stop wars in the future. If you actually talk to some Europeans though, they will tell that the EU is garbage and that it only benefits Germany and France. So in summation there isn't a North American Union because we don't want one and don't need one.

Answer 3

This is the first time I have ever seen a question posed in such a way. Is it homework help? It appears to be with the question being so simplistic and apparently posing a diatribe that is only looking for some affirmation.

Either read more books or see the world as it is. It sounds like you have to much of a "tree hugging" attitude or are pro-immigrant.. Yes, your idea is sound but in attempting to use big words and concepts in such a way you sound ignorant.

And to sound ignorant myself...... the reason we do not have a North American union is because Mexico is corrupt and refuses to stop people going to America. So why trust them and forge an alliance? Yes it would make sense to have it happen. America spent billions during the cold war freeing people in latin america. Did they pick up and do it like say, eastern europe. No in most cases.

Bottom line..... I get your idea. But immigration, world politics and such are the key. But all in all when you write there is a danger of sounding like all that you have is rhetoric.

Answer 4

We have a fine example of how unions of this kind doesn't work in the European Union. Which by the way is on the brink of falling apart. Economists say the Euro will remain but the union is sure to go. I would definitely oppose such a union. Canada is doing just fine on it's own

Answer 5

The North American Union might be good for the economy and security of the countries in North America.

Answer 6

They are already planning a merge with North America, Canada and Mexico called the North American Union and with a new currency called the Amero

Answer 7

europe is much different than North America. People there travel frequently to different countries because of the close proximity and such and having a like currency makes more sense.

Answer 8

One point is that a Union allows for free mobility among its citizens. You want to open the floodgates for all those people in Mexico to come to the US and Canada? Who will be left in Mexico then?

Answer 9

What is the NAFTA? The United States was the first. 13 little independent states printing their own money and setting their own tarrifs formed one great free trade group called the united states of america in 1789.

Don't they teach history and civics any more?

Answer 10

There is already, it's called the UNITED States of America.
Why on earth Canada and Mexico would want to get involved I cannot imagine.