[KevinGagnon]

Editorial Reviews of "United States of Europe - The New Superpower".

While the United States flexes its economic and military muscles around the world as the dominant global player, it may soon have company. According to the Washington Post's T.R. Reid, the nations of Europe are setting aside differences to form an entity that's gaining strength, all seemingly unbeknownst to the U.S. and its citizens. The new Europe, Reid says, "has more people, more wealth, and more trade than the United States of America," plus more leverage gained through membership in international organizations and generous foreign aid policies that reap political clout. Reid tells how European countries were willing to discontinue their individual centuries-old currencies and adopt the Euro, the monetary unit that is now a dominant force in world markets. This is noteworthy not just for exploring the considerable economic impact of the Euro, but also for what that spirit of cooperation means for every facet of Europe in the 21st century, where governments and citizens alike believe that the rewards of banding together are worth a loss in sovereignty. Reid's most compelling portrait of this trend is in the young Europeans known as "Generation E" who see themselves not as Spaniards or Czechs but simply as Europeans. To illustrate America's obliviousness to this trend, Reid tells of former GE CEO Jack Welch, who never bothered to factor European objections into a proposed multi-billion dollar merger with Honeywell, leading to the deal being torpedoed and Welch disgraced. But what is most striking in The United States of Europe is the contrast between the new Europe and the United States. The Europeans cannot match the raw military size of the U.S., but by mixing wealth with diplomacy and continental unity (helped along by antipathy toward George W. Bush's brand of Americanism), they are forming an innovative and powerful superpower. --John Moe

Product Description:

In May 2004, the European Union will add ten new member states-including Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary, among others-to become a union of twenty-five nations. While this might seem a fairly innocuous and minute shift of political semantics for most Americans, the enlargement will increase the population of the EU to 450 million citizens, making it larger (in population) and richer (in GDP) than the United States-not to mention that the EU has more trade than the United States and more votes on the UN Security Council and all other international organizations. This New Europe is determined to flex its political and economic muscle on the world stage. The Continent has moved much further than most Americans realize toward the dream of a "United States of Europe," to borrow Winston Churchill's term.

T. R. Reid's The United States of Europe lays bare the ways in which the EU is positioning itself to be a global counterweight and second superpower, on equal footing with the U.S.A. Reid traces the rise of the EU from the days when Churchill and other visionaries set out in the post-World War II rubble to find a means to end war in Europe. He shows how this remarkably successful effort to "create peace" also created a global economic and political power that is often at odds with the United States. This drive toward unity has been accelerated by the powerful mood of anti-Americanism (or, at least, anti-Bushism) that has swept the Continent since the war in Iraq.

In addition to the political ramifications of the EU, The United States of Europe shows the great impact this alliance is having on the global economic market. The euro, which now has more daily users than the dollar, is fast becoming a reserve currency and a new standard for global finance, a globally recognized replacement for the once-almighty dollar. Unification has spawned a generation of European corporate managers who have led firms like Nokia, Airbus, BP, Vodafone, and Red Bull to catch and surpass their U.S. competitors in global markets.

The European Union, from its beginnings as an experiment in statecraft, has rapidly emerged as a resounding success; yet Americans have so far managed to ignore the geopolitical revolution under way across the Atlantic. Reid's book shows how quietly-and not so quietly-Europe is developing itself into an economic, political, and cultural powerhouse.

[Kevan Taylor]

a very good article. I wonder what this will mean for Great Britian. They have tied themselves to the US and are becoming more and more isolated from Europe.<br /> <br /> Of course, I think it is important for Canada to begin to remove itself from its dependence on trading with the us and move toward a unified, strong, liberal Europe

[lesouris]

I am very concerned about the world's new system of alliances. I don't mean to say I'm against the EU, AU, or what have you, actually I am quite for them, but I have to wonder how they will affect Canada.<br /> <br /> The thing about the EU is that it took a bunch of middle powers together and made them (or is still making them) one big superpower. Meanwhile, a middle power like Canada is left out (all too literally) in the cold because we are basically surrounded by the world's greatest superpower, with no other borders (except Greenland). We may become one of the least powerful nations on Earth if this system of Alliances continue (it has in Africa, Asia, and South America).<br /> <br /> Our future may eventually lead Canada to a very dividing question: will we join Europe or the US? I would support the former, because I think Canadians are a lot more European in our values, but that may change if Europe becomes a self-centred superpower like another young idealistic union did so many years ago.<br /> <br /> My ultimate fear, and this may sound farfetched, is that the US and EU will one day be at war. Canada would be the battlefield, and we would suffer.

[KevinGagnon]

[QUOTE]a very good article. I wonder what this will mean for Great Britian. They have tied themselves to the US and are becoming more and more isolated from Europe[/QUOTE]<br /> <br /> <P><i>From Appendix I in the book "United States of Europe".</i></P><br /> <br /> <P><b>Great Britain</b><br><br /> (The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)<br /> <br /> <p>Land area - 94,248 square miles (roughly the size of Wyoming)<br><br /> Population - 59.1 million<br /> Per capita income - $24,390<br /> Currency - pound sterling<br /> Languages - English, Welsh, Scottish<br /> RAA index - 60<br /> Europhile Index - 50<br /> Globization rank - 12 of 62<br /> National Day - Second Sunday in June, The Queen's official birthday<br /> EU member since 1973<br /> <br /> <p>The United Kingdom is a union of three countries --England, Wales, and Scotland---plus a vest-pocket corner of six Protestant-majority counties in Ireland that refused to go along when the rest of Eire left the British Empire in 1922. Britain entered the twenty-first centry as a confident, prosperous postindustrial nation. The country is justly proud of its continuing contributions to global culture (from Harry Potter to David Beckham to Masterpiece Theatre) and its scientific stature; Brits invented cloning, Viagra, and the World Wide Web. It is the most military minded of the European countries--and the capital of European finance. It has the world's best newspapers and public broadcaster, and universities that rank among the finest on eart. </p> <br /> <br /> <p>Still, Britain today is confused and divided about its role in the world: Should it try to be a key player in the new, unified Europe, or should it shun the EU and forge closer ties with the United States? Prime Minister Tony Blair is as uncertain on this central question as the rest of his countrymen. He is strongly committed to the EU, and he is the nation's leading advocate for joining the euro. At the same time, Blair is so determined to be friendly with Washington--even if it means alienating the rest of Europe--that he is routinely described in those lively British newspapers as "Bush's poodle."</p> <br /> <br /> <p>As the twenty-first century progresses, Britain will have to resolve this national schizophrenia and decide whether it wants to be "at the heart of the New Europe" (Blair's phrase) or the fifty-first American state.<p><br /> <br /> ********************** <br /> <br /> <p>I think that last statement, the author forgot that Canada was in line to be the fifty-first state </p>

[KevinGagnon]

<br /> <p>Excerpt:</p><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/1594200335/ref=sib_rdr_ex/102-5409274-2708105?%5Fencoding=UTF8&p=S00P#reader-page"><b>Click Here</b></a>

[KevinGagnon]

<br /> Review:<br /> <br /> THE UNITED STATES OF EUROPE: The New Superpower and the End of American Supremacy<br /> T.R. Reid<br /> The Penguin Press<br /> Nonfiction<br /> ISBN: 1594200335<br /> <br /> <br /> Out of the smoldering ruins of post World War II Europe arose the dream of three visionary men: former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, whose name resonates with every American, and two others whose names and reputations may not come so readily to mind. One was former brandy salesman Jean Monnet and the other was post-war French Prime Minister and underground fighter Robert Schuman. Together, and separately, these three men were the architects and builders of what is now the European Union. These are the names that future European children will read about in history books and that might be equated with Jefferson, Franklin and Adams. They, along with other forward thinking statesmen, created the future European Union –-- the United States of Europe.<br /> <br /> The region had suffered two devastating world wars, with millions dead, wounded and homeless, and hundreds of cities and towns spread over a dozen nations laid to waste in less than 30 years. Churchill, who led Great Britain through the ravages of all-out assault from the Germans, believed that the only way to avert a future calamity was to unite the former invading countries through a common market, common currency, and united interests in peace. He spoke often of a United States of Europe. Others would come along a few years later and form that dream into reality. Sixty years later, not only has the European Union been created --- complete with a capitol, a democratically elected parliament, a flag and an army --- but the unthinkable also occurred: they created a common currency, the euro, which is beating the pants off the almighty American dollar.<br /> <br /> According to T. R. Reid, author of eight books on the economies of Japan, China and the Middle East, while America was thundering along, assuming its place at the head of the pack as the biggest, the baddest and the best, the youthful European Union has sprinted up and pulled out to pass a complacent and self-satisfied giant. America Firsters will not take kindly to at least one early chapter where health and longevity, income, marriage and commercial productivity figures are compared –-- none too favorably –-- with the European Union. Reality bites, as they say --– and Reid shows us a reality that any thinking economist, or any American for that matter, should chew on.<br /> <br /> Reid is an American journalist who headed the Washington Post’s London Bureau where he chronicled the stunning rise of the European Union at the dawn of the 21st century. When the euro was first introduced on January 1, 2002, the very idea of a common currency among nations of such diverse religious, ethnic, cultural and language barriers, many of which had been actively engaged in slaughtering one another for two thousand years, was laughable to many world observers. Yet today, other nations are flocking to the euro for investment as they once relied on the American dollar. Meanwhile, the faithful dollar is sliding alarmingly in value against this upstart –-- and American manufacturing and commerce are taking their lumps. <br /> <br /> Reid introduces us to Generation E --- the less nationalist, youthful wage earners of the European Union. Fading are the visions of the fatherland and the motherland. Generation E bops from one nation state to another, communicating via the broadest, unified cell phone system in the world, their allegiance to freedom, entrepreneurialism and success.<br /> <br /> Did you know that you can leave Copenhagen, Denmark in your car and drive to the toe of Italy’s boot through a dozen “foreign” countries and never show your passport, never exchange currency, and, for the most part, speak English? Or that a resident of the European Union has a two-year longer life expectancy than an American? And that the infant mortality rate is lower, as are the rates of heart disease and cancer, and that health insurance covers every citizen, for about half as much per capita as the United States spends? And that doctors still make housecalls and you never even see a bill?<br /> <br /> While the EU has a standing army, it is envisioned not as an invasion force but as one to go in after an invasion and rebuild. There is a saying in America when it comes to military might: "the United States cooks the dinner and the Europeans wash the dishes." The Europeans see it another way: "the United States is the war maker, and the Europeans are the peacekeepers."<br /> <br /> Eye-popping, jaw-dropping facts fill each chapter and make for fascinating, if disquieting, reading. All is not milk and honey in the EU and Reid points out the differences in this fascinating look at the giant across the waters that is the European Union. He also slaps America around a bit for our arrogance and assumptions of righteous power. THE UNITED STATES OF EUROPE gives fair warning that we’re not the only Super Power on the planet. The EU is an ally, but not one to be taken lightly or for granted.<br /> <br /> --- Reviewed by Roz Shea<br /> <br /> <br />

[KevinGagnon]

<br /> Here's a funny article, and a funny site as well.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.bushcountry.org/news/columnists/Grant-Joseph/c_010305_joseph_swank_armageddon.htm">United States Of Europe A Precursor To Armageddon?<br /> </a>

[KevinGagnon]

The good news about a superpower Europe, is that their social justice is so embeded in their culture, that I believe they can influence the U.S to change their ways. There is millions in the U.S who would accept any ideals that would mean health care to all. Or even a welfare system to help people get up on their feet.

Kevin

[Armageddon]

Well, I will certainly get this book out of the library to test it, lol. <br /> It is wonderful to hear of another superpower arise. When I was on UNA.org (I was angry at some of the anti-Canada posts they put on), I've read one or two times where they were arguing about Europe never rising together to form a united military force to compete against America's. Just a few months later though, Europe is finally getting the European Rapid Reaction Force going. With such union going on, with the Euro, the defense policies, and the immigration policies, Europe will finally be able to tell the U.S. to "slow down" in policing the world hopefully.

[KevinGagnon]

Armageddon,<br /> <br /> Get this book. You will see a light on the other side of the black tunnel down south. You will learn how Europe has already powered over the U.S over U.S affairs, like mergers of two American companies. You will also learn how an American will go through a day using European products without even knowing it. Allot of American brands are now European owned.<br /> <br /> The book argues that European power may lead to a movement within the U.S. He say's that in America we can see people loyal to the Queen moving the move to be more like Europe. He explains how European Health Care System may spread into the U.S. with open arms from many Americans.<br /> <br /> The book also explains how the U.S manufacturers all have to change their manufacturing policies to gear the policies of Europe in order to get access to the European market.<br /> <br /> It was a very good book.<br /> <br /> Kevin