The 2004 EU Constitution failed to be ratified and the new “Treaty of Lisbon” was created to replace it. It managed to get approved and is in the process of going into effect.
The EU was “supposedly” originally created as an “economic” alliance and then began rapidly moving toward being a political organization/union.
It can be looked at as a “USA like” assemblage of European countries (“states”) into a “unified political entity”. For starters it is different because the members generally are seriously predisposed and tilted toward Socialist economic and social systems.
Socialist regimes envision “centrist control by elites” - some are arguing that the “Treaty of Lisbon” is a backdoor Socialist takeover of the member “states”.
I am not up to speed on this issue but do intend to keep an eye on the ongoing results.
The EU could become a significant economic and political consideration in the world. The members are currently military pansies and wimps so in the short term their effect will be minimal.
A bird-brain EU executive could raise political and social havoc for Europe if allowed to run amok.
A certain amount of “unity” between the many nationalistic and tribal countries in Europe is probably for the best. A potential power grab by political hacks under the auspices of the “Treaty of Lisbon” is a serious consideration and question to be answered.
Malcolm T. Hedges
A seemingly valid review: http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/documents/downloads/guide_to_treaty_of_lisbon.pdf
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