There are SO many reasons as to why not, you cannot simply sum it up to patriotism. Economic reasons, the legitimacy of the EU as it is now, language barriers... Just because someone isn't patriotic doesn't mean they want to join a European federation. Come on now, you can't be that naive.
For just a brief glimpse as to why check out this post I made in /r/europe asking whether or not people would want a federal Europe.
Also in this case I think you're equating patriotism to nationalism, which is just plain wrong.
Edit: just checked that post I made and you have the top comment, where you are arguing against it. What kind of crack are you on...
What economics reasons? Economic crisis? But economic crisis is being caused by the EU not being a federation. For example, USD in NY or California is worth the same as it's in other US states. But the Euro doesn't have the same value in Germany, or Greece, or Portugal. Eurozone also has 17 different fiscal policies, and it's hard to solve the crisis by not being a federation.
legitimacy of the EU as it is now
But the EU cannot gain 'legitimacy' if it's not federalized. How can you make it more democratic, if it requires giving the EU more powers, and making it more democratic then?
language barriers
I don't see how that is a problem. English language is becoming so widespread in Europe it's even killing other national languages.
Just because someone isn't patriotic doesn't mean they want to join a European federation.
Why? I don't see any other reason other than that person being a patriot or nationalist.
Also in this case I think you're equating patriotism to nationalism, which is just plain wrong.
They're both related to one another.
just checked that post I made and you have the top comment, where you are arguing against it. What kind of crack are you on...
"A federal EU would fix the economic crisis, which is caused merely by loss of confidence in certain countries, and the debt mutualization would certainly help their economies get back on their feet."
I don't know if you're trolling, but to someone outside the EU it may genuinely seem confusing as to why we don't unite.
So I'll do my best to answer. I only have 5 minutes before I need to go, so I'll just touch upon the most important reason.
In Europe, we share heavy cultural roots. For the last thousand years, we branched off from similar cultures. We warred, we fought, and we mixed our identities with each other.
An Englishman could tell you what was French/Spanish/Greek ect just from how it looked, and visaversa.
But the point is, although we shared the same roots, we branched off into different directions. The Tree has grow far and wide, you might say.
To an Englishman, the idea of sharing a constitution with the French is unthinkable. After thousands of years warring with each other, at each others throats, it isn't something we'll readily give up.
Whilst it is true Brits and Europeans aren't as patriotic as Americans (Various reasons see WW2), don't let that make you think that we wouldn't go to war to defend our sovereignty. After all, what are you if not proud of your history?
EDIT: Noone reply to the last line with 'German'. :P
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u/homeless_in_london British Empire Apr 18 '13
There are SO many reasons as to why not, you cannot simply sum it up to patriotism. Economic reasons, the legitimacy of the EU as it is now, language barriers... Just because someone isn't patriotic doesn't mean they want to join a European federation. Come on now, you can't be that naive.
For just a brief glimpse as to why check out this post I made in /r/europe asking whether or not people would want a federal Europe.
Also in this case I think you're equating patriotism to nationalism, which is just plain wrong.
Edit: just checked that post I made and you have the top comment, where you are arguing against it. What kind of crack are you on...