When it was announced late last week that the European Union had won the Nobel Peace Prize, reactions were mixed.
Some were pleasantly surprised. Some were outraged. Many expressed skepticism and confusion.
Having studied the history and inner workings of the EU when I was in Europe this summer and visited its Parliaments in Brussels and Strasbourg, France, I developed an admiration and greater understanding for the union.
Consequently, I believe that despite its flaws and the myriad of economic struggles that it is currently facing, the EU is highly deserving of the prize.
The EU was born out of the ashes of two terrible world wars.
World War I ravaged the continent and resulted in the deaths of about 37 million people.
World War II was even deadlier, resulting in 60 million deaths.
The idea of uniting the continent economically and politically as a means of promoting peace had been around for awhile, but it didn’t fully come to fruition until Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Belgium signed a treaty in 1951, pledging to unite their coal and steel industries.
Currently, the EU includes 27 member countries and three new candidates for membership: Yugoslavia, Turkey and Croatia.
Like the rest of the world, the EU is experiencing financial hardships.
Much like the United States, EU politicians have had a hard time reaching compromises that everyone is content with. Cultural clashes and stereotyping are not strangers to the EU.
However, the fact that the EU has been able to connect people of so many nations, each with distinct histories, languages, philosophies, religions and cultures is something to be lauded and praised.
On a continent historically ravaged by war and conflict, the EU has maintained peace for decades and worked to promote prosperity and human rights, not just within its own member states, but throughout the rest of the world.
We are lucky to have the EU as a democratic ally in an increasingly globalizing world.
It has moved beyond its primary goal, as stated in the European Economic Community Treaty of 1957 of providing “economic growth stemming from the economics of a liberalized market,” to building a collective framework for foreign and social policies which seek to benefit the disadvantaged and equalize the life chances and living standards of individuals.
Despite the cynicism of naysayers, I believe that the story of the EU and its current role in the global affairs remains inspiring.
I am inclined to think that it will pull through the tough economic times it is experiencing and emerge intact.
Different, yes, but intact.
It really makes you think if a political entity with 23 different official languages can overcome its communication barriers, can the United States put a halt to its trend toward political gridlock, culture wars and extreme partisanship?
Can we once again put our differences aside, celebrate our common values and promote progress within our own country?
Maybe it’s the optimist in me, but even in the heat of election season, I really think we can.
We need look no further than across the pond to our Nobel laureate allies for a little bit of guidance and
inspiration.
— kabeasle@indiana.edu
