http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2008/926/op5.htm
18 - 24 December 2008 Issue No. 926 Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 World without borders Samir Sobhi takes the concept of global village to its logical conclusion -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sociology tells us how we evolved from a nomadic life to settle in villages before moving on to form cities, states and federations. Europe now is becoming one nation, a continent-state, a place where countries such as Britain, France, Russia, Italy and Greece melt in one big pot. Europe inspired modern civilisation and much of today's international economy. Its example is hard to resist. How did Europe manage to have a single market and currency? How long will it take Europe before it becomes a single country, a continent without borders? Like a chess player Europe thinks ahead, rearranging its domestic affairs and contemplating the moves that lie ahead. In most European countries parties vie for ways to satisfy the electorate. Sometimes these multi-party systems have spawned a reality in which two parties take the lead, as is the case in the UK. Will the day come when we hear of a European parliament, comprised of representatives from across the continent, reacting to the policies of one cabinet, with one president or prime minister taking charge? A one-state Europe may not be as far-fetched as some think. If we consider the history of the UK we can see how the unthinkable becomes gradually accepted. The Tories were in control of British political life for most of the last century. They have won 20 out of the last 26 parliamentary elections. In 1993 the Tories were in trouble because of divisions over the Maastricht treaty. Then Prime Minister John Major dismissed the objections of sceptics and decided to sign up. This was not the first instance of resistance in the UK to integration with Europe. Following WWII Labour opposed the creation of joint European organisations. At the time analysts supposed Britain was jealous of losing its status as a world power in an international scene increasingly dominated by the Americans. Now it seems that the march for European unity is unstoppable. It may take a few years but with Austria, Finland and Sweden finally in there is no turning back. Winston Churchill said it would happen. In the late 1940s, when the Tories were in opposition, he made speeches calling for Europe to unite. His views were shared by several Tories, including Harold Macmillan. But the Tories changed their mind later, rejecting several pan-European projects, including the European Coal and Steel Community. In 1952 Anthony Eden argued that Britain could not afford to contemplate joining a European federation. Dorriya Shafiq Basiouni, author of Unified Europe, believes that changing political life in Europe will influence the politics of the Third World. A unified Europe is too powerful a role model to ignore. If only for economic reasons political boundaries are likely to erode. We can see it already happening, in the omnipresence of satellite communication, in converging lifestyles and in increased standardisation. Continents are becoming states and the world will follow. The global village -- with six billion inhabitants doing more or less the same things -- is no longer a figment of imagination. It is where we live.
