15 upvotes, 1 direct replies (showing 1)
Actually the main motivations for creating the EU were diplomatic, not economic.
It was originally called the European Coal and Steel Community and the primary signatories were France and West Germany, along with Italy and the Benelux region. Its purpose was to bind the economies and production capacity of Europe together. By making the steel and coal production of France and Germany inextricably interlinked, neither country could ever fight the other, as the industry needed to produce weapons was controlled jointly by both.
It has expanded massively in size and scope since then, becoming the European Union, but at its core the EU remains a peace project intended to end the constant conflict between European powers and in that respect it remains a huge success. With the exception of the Balkans and former Yugoslavia, which was never part of the EU, Europe has been at peace since WW2, by far the longest period of peace it has known in the last millenium.
Comment by DenormalHuman at 15/10/2018 at 11:05 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
at its core the EU remains a peace project intended to end the constant conflict between European powers
I'm sure htere are quotes from the founders that belie this as the fundamental reason for creating europe, but I can't remember who or what was said. It was generally along the lines of 'it's all about the money'. I know that sounds a bit handwavy and stereoptypical, but honestly that's the gist of it. I will go off and try and rememberthe quote / source and which founder it was that said it ... :/