The European Union as a Fear-driven, Defensive, and Phobic Project
Channel: Sam Vaknin's Musings
Date: 2011-02-02

The European project variably known as the European Community and the European Union is driven by fear, not by promise. It is and has always been a phobic, defensive enterprise rather than a hope-filled polity.

Its founders, in the mid-fifties, sought to prevent future waves of virulent and aggressive nationalisms. Later, in successive rounds, the framework was reluctantly and grudgingly enlarged to encompass the poorer countries of south Europe and Greece in an attempt to forestall uncontrollable tides of destitute economic immigrants.

When communism crumbled, the resulting new and liberated states feared the clutches of a resurgent Russia. The European Union offered "enlargement" (and NATO membership) as a solution. Again, it was the dread of an external threat that shaped the bloc, not any overriding vision. 

More recently, the constituents of the former Yugoslavia and Albania, having endured slaughters and internecine warfare and poised as they are on the doorstep of a tranquil and prosperous continent are blackmailing the European Union into accession: "If you do not allow us to accede" -- these kleptocratic poor imitations of nation-states openly threaten -- "we will erupt on your threshold and swamp you with blood, refugees, immigrants, and crime". Who can resist such an offer? Not the European Union.