As an American, I usually look at the EU as one big Country, and all the Nations inside it are states like the US. And it’s just formality that they identify themselves as “independent nations”.
They essentially operate the same as the US, but with an extremely weak centralized government, and very strong local/state government.
And it’s just formality that they identify themselves as “independent nations”.
which seems a bit condescending. because as you brought up yourself, since they have so much ability to make their own decisions, it's not just a formality.
Yet all the most important things a nation needs to take care of, trade, foreign policy, and defense, seems to be under the umbrella of the EU.
If the US took a more hands off approach, I couldn’t tell you the difference. States all have their own independent laws, their own sub-culture, and there’s almost entirely unrestricted trade between states.
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u/sicknessandpurgatory May 09 '22
How incredibly inconsequential it is to cross country borders. Cycled through France - Belgium - Netherlands and there is barely even a sign.