Europe
It’s quite an issue, quite a phenomenon. After WWII one part of the European elite decided that significant geopolitical influence for Europe necessitated consolidation in order to rival (and emulate) the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
It has worked to some extent. But it has been disappointing in some respects. So after thirty years there continues to be debate about it. Go further toward consolidation? Back away?
The status quo is not felt to be satisfactory:
Does the EU have a demos or people? And how do people experience the EU as a governing force in their lives or in terms of Europe as this political community that they ostensibly belong to?
Again, as usual with the modern industrial state, the conflation of the mega-state with “the people” or “a community” . . .
