Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 3
Europe Unites: Successes and Struggles
While I dabble in the rest of the world, my true love is Europe. Since my
i rst trip there in 1969, I've enjoyed gaining an appreciation for Europe's
history, art, culture, cuisine, music...and politics.
h e big news in Europe these days is unii cation. Hosting two world wars within
one lifetime inspired European nations to understand the necessity of working together.
With the advent of the European Union (EU), its 27 (and counting) member nations
have succeeded in attaining their two key goals: avoiding intra-European war and
integrating their economies. Now they're moving on to new challenges: forming a
common foreign policy and an integrated legal system. Of course, it's dangerous to
generalize about “Europe,” and many Europeans are not in step with the EU. h ese
“Euroskeptics” mock the EU's high-minded ideals in light of its obvious failings. But
despite foot-dragging in certain quarters, Europe as a whole is moving forward.
Europe is the part of the world most similar to the USA. h at's why I con-
sider it the wading pool for world exploration. Americans and Europeans are both
al uent, well-educated peoples who love their freedom. But, while we have much
in common, we also have fundamental dif erences. I learn a lot about America by
studying Europe. Europe does some things better than we do. Some things, they do
worse. And most things are open to debate. Europe doesn't have all the answers.
But neither do we. Considering innovative European approaches to persistent
challenges that vex our own nation can be constructive. h is chapter assembles a
few of my favorite examples.
Europe's “Big Government”:
High Taxes with High Expectations
While Europe has its share of economic woes, there's no denying that Euro-
peans have created a vast free trade zone that's designed to keep the Continent
competitive with the United States and the emerging economic giants of
