Comments on Global Power Europe: Lessons for Europe from Britain’s Imperial Federat...

Unfortunately I see the potential and very real do...

2008-08-08T19:27:00.000+01:00

Unfortunately I see the potential and very real downside of a European Union evolving into a federal state. It seems currently more like the ancient republic in Rome where the elite or local kings only have a vote, or like the Germanic Holy Roman Empire. The European Council (unelected bureaucracy) is given much more power than the parliament which appears to be just for show. The powers that be

I strongly oppose NATO expansion beyond the Europe...

2007-10-25T04:04:00.000+01:00

I strongly oppose NATO expansion beyond the European/Balkans region. NATO as an already established regional alliance would cease being an alliance of democracies were it to spread its dominance to other regions of the globe (e.g. Latin America and East Asia). The spread of NATO would take place in a piecemeal fashion without clear objectives other than containment of Russia and China. It would

Ralf: No. Not so much a military alliance, but rat...

2007-10-14T12:52:00.000+01:00

Ralf: No. Not so much a military alliance, but rather a political federation...

James Rogers, just to whet your appetite: The word...

2007-10-14T04:15:00.000+01:00

James Rogers, just to whet your appetite: The wordings of the Nato and Reform Treaty provisions on armed aggression are almost identical.

Is the EU becoming a military alliance?

Regards
Ralf Grahn

Hello Ralf: I'll give the Federalist Papers a good...

2007-10-14T00:36:00.000+01:00

Hello Ralf: I'll give the Federalist Papers a good browse when I get a chance. It might provide further ammunition for another article at some point.

As for the solidarity clauses (there is one for terrorism and disasters and one for armed aggression) in the ‘Reform Treaty’, I think they are largely symbolic, but certainly add that extra obligation on the part of the Member States to

James Rogers, food for thought, thank you.The Fede...

2007-10-13T11:10:00.000+01:00

James Rogers, food for thought, thank you.

The Federalist Papers still offer the main reasons for what should be handled jointly (foreign policy, defence, foreign trade, interstate commerce) and how these things should be governed (legitimacy; democracy on a continental scale).

It would be interesting to read your views on the effectivenes of the obligation of aid and

Thanks for your comment, Wren, which gives me a mo...

2007-10-12T19:09:00.000+01:00

Thanks for your comment, Wren, which gives me a moment to clarify my point.

I’m not against NATO at all, although it is fair to say that it does suffer from a number of problems at the moment, even though it has ventured out of area for the first time, and that there have been positive developments, as you point out. I think the alliance has a useful and important purpose to serve in the

Hi James, interesting article as always. I'm in a ...

2007-10-12T18:44:00.000+01:00

Hi James, interesting article as always. I'm in a bit of a rush now so will quickly address one point, however I will be back later to add my 2 cents on the rest!!

NATO; you describe it as a "Fading Alliance" and as a "fraying alliance", both statements are very un-true.

NATO is increasingly important to the US, UK, Canada and even France is now going to re-enter the full NATO