You’re not the first one bringing up NATO—it’s definitely a hot topic when discussing Europe’s political landscape. If the U.S. were to leave NATO, it could have massive repercussions, like forcing Europe to ramp up its defense spending and potentially weakening the alliance’s deterrent power against rivals like Russia and China. I’ll consider adding a section on this to the article—great suggestion!
As for your question about European economies pre-EU (1946–1990), Western Europe rebounded quickly after WWII thanks to initiatives like the Marshall Plan and early economic collaborations (e.g., ECSC). Countries like Germany and France spearheaded growth, while Eastern Europe lagged under Soviet influence and planned economies. This economic divide set the stage for the EU’s creation to unify and strengthen the region.
Thanks for the thought-provoking questions—keep them coming!
I think a common market for coal and iron: steel between France and Germany was wise.
I can see in general lowering trade barriers.
I don’t think that a “common market” resolves disputes as well as ; 1) a freer market not run from Brussels
2) or bilateral arrangements or even tariffs at national level, as closest to the problem has the best view and most direct stake in results.
I think a common currency was a mistake. Why yes America does have one ! As a result of the Civil War. Might have missed a step?
I think open borders doomed the enterprise , and doomed no “internal” border controls.
The 1945 Western Social social contract was different in each country but essentially had social democratic protections, with varying degrees of “market” socialism ala Germany and the CDU. That runs out in the 1970s.
Next we have neoliberalism and free trade, which is designed to make social democracy affordable. Unfortunately putting that with Open Borders is ruinous as you get “Dole Pastoralists”, which is nothing new we’ve had it in the USA for decades. There’s also the American disastrous shift to outsourcing to China.
That’s now being painfully reversed at the risk of war.
At the same time the NATO aspect; While one might want to talk of economics separate from the military that’s childish.
What happened in NATO including the USA is while Defense and militaries were gutted along with their Industrial Base , the alliance has been marching slowly Eastward since the 1990s, and did everything it could to make an enemy of Russia- and it worked.
NATO probably should have gone the way of the Warsaw Pact.
Now I’m going to predict regardless of “intentions” the USA is leaving whether it’s Official or not.
Please remember in this context “Nothing is Confirmed until Washington denies it.”
What happens if America gets out of NATO?
BTW how were the European economies doing prior to the EU, say 1946-1990?
You’re not the first one bringing up NATO—it’s definitely a hot topic when discussing Europe’s political landscape. If the U.S. were to leave NATO, it could have massive repercussions, like forcing Europe to ramp up its defense spending and potentially weakening the alliance’s deterrent power against rivals like Russia and China. I’ll consider adding a section on this to the article—great suggestion!
As for your question about European economies pre-EU (1946–1990), Western Europe rebounded quickly after WWII thanks to initiatives like the Marshall Plan and early economic collaborations (e.g., ECSC). Countries like Germany and France spearheaded growth, while Eastern Europe lagged under Soviet influence and planned economies. This economic divide set the stage for the EU’s creation to unify and strengthen the region.
Thanks for the thought-provoking questions—keep them coming!
I think a common market for coal and iron: steel between France and Germany was wise.
I can see in general lowering trade barriers.
I don’t think that a “common market” resolves disputes as well as ; 1) a freer market not run from Brussels
2) or bilateral arrangements or even tariffs at national level, as closest to the problem has the best view and most direct stake in results.
I think a common currency was a mistake. Why yes America does have one ! As a result of the Civil War. Might have missed a step?
I think open borders doomed the enterprise , and doomed no “internal” border controls.
The 1945 Western Social social contract was different in each country but essentially had social democratic protections, with varying degrees of “market” socialism ala Germany and the CDU. That runs out in the 1970s.
Next we have neoliberalism and free trade, which is designed to make social democracy affordable. Unfortunately putting that with Open Borders is ruinous as you get “Dole Pastoralists”, which is nothing new we’ve had it in the USA for decades. There’s also the American disastrous shift to outsourcing to China.
That’s now being painfully reversed at the risk of war.
At the same time the NATO aspect; While one might want to talk of economics separate from the military that’s childish.
What happened in NATO including the USA is while Defense and militaries were gutted along with their Industrial Base , the alliance has been marching slowly Eastward since the 1990s, and did everything it could to make an enemy of Russia- and it worked.
NATO probably should have gone the way of the Warsaw Pact.
Now I’m going to predict regardless of “intentions” the USA is leaving whether it’s Official or not.
Please remember in this context “Nothing is Confirmed until Washington denies it.”
Happy Holidays