An Ever Closer Union - The Forward March

This work consists of a series of research-based essays on European Union and its concept of being ever closer.

During and after the financial crisis since 2007, the Union is being tested like never before with important tests yet ahead.

The topics covered are primarily those where the member states can act together, their national interest coinciding with the supranational interest of the Union. The work does not wish to look back on the last fifty years but rather to the next fifty. It is hopefully a useful guide to the depth of integration within the Union's geographical, economic and political space, but with a great distance yet to travel before total integration is reached.

The goal of the Union is not, nor ever has been, a United States of Europe. Such a United States would be unattainable given the diversity of member states, their long histories, their many languages, their differing priorities and their different economic strengths, creating their own national identities. However, this is not to say that a Union cannot be created, as the preamble to a likely reform treaty shall declare, where inspiration is drawn 'from the cultural, religious and humanist inheritance of Europe, from which have developed the universal values of the inviolable and inalienable rights of the human person, freedom, democracy and the rule of law'.

What is clear is that the Union in here to stay, centuries of fluctuating history with its plagues, pestilence and wars are behind it; peace, prosperity and unity in diversity are the names of the game not only for the present but future generations. The Union has chosen the path of 'civilisation, progress and prosperity', but seeking to apply this to all its citizens, rich and poor, healthy and sick, 'including the weakest and most deprived', a liberal economy that does not conflict but is compatible with a social model. Unity in diversity might be a succinct definition but so, too, can be forging of a common destiny.

It is the forward march to this destiny that this work seeks to highlight.