As the brexit endgame looms, here is my personal perspective on the project of political union: union represents an alternative to the politics of the state. Sure, there are problems, but states lead us to war, political union leads to stability. 1/6
Political union is a widening of horizons. It involves recognising commonalities across cultures and not accepting the narrow territorial borders imposed on us by historical settlements. Political union represents freedom, while the borders of the state are barriers. 2/6
Political union also increases power & influence. In a world of interconnection the idea of state autonomy is simply a myth. Collectives can achieve better outcomes and manage the externalities of global dynamics. States are vulnerable, political union offers security 3/6
And lastly, political union represents an important safeguard against the excesses of states. The rights enshrined in a political union and the institutions that safeguard them are a key barrier against the state unilaterally eroding standards, rights, values. 4/6
Leaving a political union means rolling back these things. You may have important grievances you want recognised and/or a reasoned defence of states. But whatever your reasoning, leaving dismantles benefits of political union not available to individual states. 5/6
Watching the promise of political union being dismantled is profoundly saddening. Future generations will wonder why we traded collective security, freedom, influence & rights for an inferior, inward-looking statism. 6/6
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