World without borders

by 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.