Has allowed European agriculture and related industries (equipment, machinery, processed food) to survive, if not to thrive, in an increasingly globalized economy sector.

Much maligned by all sides.

Context : European farmers' activity takes place in ... Europe, ie in a context of relatively high taxes on production compared to their main competitors. Without some form of subsidy, they would have disappeared overnight, and so would have the associated industries, at a tremendous cost.

We also need to reassure ourselves by realising how far the river has carried the Europeans since 1957. In this world of elephants, Europe is already successfully carrying the flag of shared values such as freedom, solidarity, ­protection of the environment and development, with the European stars more easily aligned with Venus than with Mars, and with Kant being read more than Hobbes or Marx. The European integration is still the most innovative and sophisticated model of international governance, bridging supra­nationalism and the Westphalian system of sovereign nation states.

While scepticism gathers momentum in Europe, how odd it is that the EU is still the main reference point for other countries looking to integrate regionally. Take the recent report of the Asean eminent persons' group, in which these east Asian countries look for bold ideas to strengthen their integration and develop responses to cross-boundary challenges. The same can be said of the moves towards regional integration in western and eastern Africa, in central America and in South America within Mercosur.

Here lies the paradox: seen from the inside, there is a mood of doom and gloom over the coming years, whereas seen from the outside, the European integration provides a modern template for new forms of governance to face today's challenges.

As the EU celebrates its 50th birthday, the need for Europe inside and outside its borders is greater than ever. In many parts of this world, regions are looking at Europe to continue to provide a firmly anchored model for open values, a testing ground for developing new democratic solutions to face today's global challenges.

13. Small EU bureaucracy (24,000 employees, fewer than the BBC)

Despite the eurosceptic claims, the number of EU officials is surprisingly small. After the scandal of 1999 when the Brussels based European Commission resigned, strict new rules were imposed on spending.

1. The CHARTER OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

2. A  new model of relationship between countries based on "shared sovereignty", which is the only way to be able to tackle global problems.

3. A new way for the promotion of democracy and human rights.

4. European Tribune

"The new EU constitution, currently being considered by the member states... should also serve as an inspiration to progressives around the world. It bars capital punishment in all 25 nations and defines such things as universal healthcare, child care, paid annual leave, parental leave, housing for the poor, and equal treatment for gays and lesbians as fundamental human rights... It is the first governing document that aspires to universality, with rights and responsibilities that encompass the totality of human existence on Earth."

And this comment:

"On the whole, the EU constitution is a remarkable document and should it be ratified would be watershed in human history"

██ Implementing countries ██ Members (not yet implemented) ██ Expressed interest in joining

Jesus died for somebody's sins but not mine - Patti Smith

I dunno, I'm mostly happy with what I see on that list and what's already been mentioned in this thread.

"The basis of optimism is sheer terror" - Oscar Wilde

The President, Mary McAleese, has said that the Irish Saint Columbanus would be a very appropriate choice as a patron saint of the European Union.

The President was speaking on a visit to the monastery St Columbanus founded in Bobbio in Northern Italy.

The idea of making St Columbanus a co- patron saint of the EU was first raised by Archbiship Sean Brady at an Irish Bishops conference in Rome last year (RTÉ)

On the other hand, it's a good name ...

If it will.

-cultural complexity instead of cultural conformity,

-Tolerance in values, economic organization and social organization instead of lockstep Neoliberal BS,

The Arch de Triumph sits on one end of the Avenue de la Grande Armee. At the other end, in La Defense (where Jerome hangs out these days)is another arche- the Arche
de la Fraternity. A lovely triumph of soaring architecture.
Among many marvels to do with the EU, it contains several floors in the top that are dedicated to a tableau- a discussion of Europe an entity. When I first went there, about 16 years ago, the discussion was about  "exclusion". Exclusion from good drinking water. From educational opportunities, from adequate power grid structure, clean air, political freedom,etc. etc.
Maps, friends. Wonderful worldwide maps of everything- fences, water pipes, educational access, nutrition-- and all in six languages.

The next discussion was about 'The talents and conscience of Europe". Superb portrait photography and bio data on the best minds in Europe, and their contributions.

This is a European gift to the world. Already real, it can grow.

Balance. Napoleon's ego on one end, -- cooperation, synergy, and potential beyond measure on the other.

Lastly, the EU has the potential to teach- to help my country grow up.

If it will.

Grabbing what you can, as John Ruskin said, isn't any less wicked when you grab it with the power of your brains than with the power of your fists.

March 25 marks the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, which created what we now call the European Union. Although its members have much to celebrate, the future is hardly secure.

Europe is aging rapidly, and the bill for helping the elderly will be huge. Yet economic growth remains fairly sluggish, labor productivity problematic, and competition generally feeble. Rigid laws and regulations make it hard to create, change, and eliminate jobs. Finally, inefficient state services command a large share of national wealth in all EU countries, and governments employ a large part of their populations. The articles in this special collection offer possible solutions to these economic difficulties.

(by email. I'm sure it's somewhere on their website but I won't bother to link)

In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes

Cooperation

The EU has normalised the idea of not just living at peace with neighbouring states but actively seeking common solutions where these are beneficial. It has enabled politicians to stop thinking all the time about the impact decisions will have on the relative power of their state vis a vis other European states and to start thinking more freely about what policies would be best for their citizens.

The Rule of Law

In order to be a member of the European Union a country needs to have institutions that guarantee the rule of law. The strong doctrine of the ECJ on the necessity of effective implementation of European legislation has empowered national judiciaries, giving them a powerful instrument for controlling the legality of national legislation. The requirement that EU states have to submit to the European Treaty on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms further reinforces the rule of law. (The treaty is part of a different cooperative structure including the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights)

(thinking of more)

A moving tribute (in French) - from his great uncles dead in Verdun to his wife met in another country thanks to Erasmus and now able to live and work in France without having to wait at the Préfecture for the petty administrative authorisations other foreigners still need.

In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes