Politics: the Charlemagne Prize, part 1

Self-tutoring about European politics: the tutor begins about European unity.

The following is my own understanding.

I’ve never heard of the Charlemagne Prize, yet I guess it’s been around since 1950. It’s awarded for outstanding contribution to unity of Europe. It was just awarded to Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.

To many who studied history, unity in Europe might almost seem an oxymoron. In broad strokes, since around 1500, it seems, Europe seldom worried about invasion from non-Europeans. This left them free to fight each other, which they often did – not only in Europe, but in colonial conflicts worldwide, modern-day Canada serving as stage for some of that action.

Europe finally ran out of gas as a result of WWII. At the same time, Russia, which arguably had been part of Europe up to and during WWI, seemed no longer to be. Post WWII, Europe came to depend on the United States for security against the Russian-centred Soviet Union.

Yet, it seems that Europe, if they could have avoided WWI and WWII, would never have needed the United States. Perhaps, in some way, they’re realizing that now.

Source:

msn.com

rathaus-aachen.de