Fair is Fair, a question for Europe

[rah]

All this talk of a unified Europe who's goal is to compete worldwide with the US and other Large Countries.

Question, to keep things fair, would Europe be willing to unite in the UN and only have one vote? A unified Europe would be about the same size and have similar economic and miliatry strength.

If you're looking for parity with the US, this would be a step in the right direction. Anything else would be hypocrisy. (please ignore the last sentence but I couldn't resist ).


Would this change how you view the UN?

RAH

[Arrian]

If Europe were to combine into one political entity (read: unified government), then they should have to drop down to 1 vote in the UN. But the EU is merely an economic union (NAFTA on 'roids?), so no need to give up those votes just yet.

-Arrian

[Stefu]

Well, it's obvious we'd do like Soviet Union and organize the UN to give a province or two a vote in the General Council.

And I don't believe that it'll come to one big United States of Europe. Nations will retain at least a modicum of independency - enough for them to call themselves nations and, well, retain seats in UN General Council.

[Paul Hanson]

Good question. The answer is probably "not without a fight", because we're a stubborn bunch of gits when we want to be.

[Tom201]

France will never give up. They will insist on calling their nation seperatly, no matter how close the EU gets

[rah]

If Europe did agree to reduce it's vote to one.

Do you feel you would be properly represented? Or would your needs be lost among the masses of third world countries?

RAH

[Imran Siddiqui]

Wow! Very good question rah... (but you can tell us... did the ferrets tell you to write this one... we won't squeal ).

If Europe becomes fully integrated under one government, then yes, they should give up all the other votes in the UN except one. However, I'm not sure it will ever come to that. It will end up like the US's Articles of Confederation, but looser.

[Eli]

And the Arabs will have half of the votes? No thanks.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Not like the Euros don't already vote with the Arabs on the ME Conflict, Eli .

[germanos]

Not if Europe would still have a 'veto' in the Security Counsel, as a permanent member.
(not that I think France or U.K. will ever give theirs up)

[Monk]

I guess the EU should be limited to one vote, but it's all so hypothetical because I don't see the EU countries harmonizing their foreign policies and abolishing their independence completely within the next 20 years. But of course, you never know.

[SpencerH]

The EU mandated what a sausage was, and "bangers" wern't. Theres your independent states. You've got 10 years before you're using the flag the Dutch guy designed (the bar codes).

[MrFun]

Perhaps the United States is entitled to 50 votes in the UN for each state of the United States to be consistent with each EU country entitled to one vote.

[rah]

Yes, I believe that Europe should have one veto in the security counsel. That would be fair and equal to that of the US.


RAH
Imran, ixnay on the erretsfay. We knocked off RAH over the weekend and have hijacked his machine. Vito......

[Imran Siddiqui]

I knew it!