Europe's still a global disaster area in 21st century

FOR most of the last century, the world had to grapple with problems arising in Europe. Two World Wars and then the awful fallout as the colonial powers of Europe withdrew from their commitments, as their own countries were devastated. Some tried to do it nicely, but others were peremptory and left vacuums, filled by civil war and unstable dictatorships. Probably only Switzerland really benefited as everyone filled their overseas bank accounts. The then two superpowers, the US and the Soviet Union battled each other for world domination. Gosh, this sounds so like a game of Risk!

There was a movement to unite Europe, based on stopping the main powers from continually fighting each other for domination. This was very laudable and drew notable statesmen into its fold, for example, Winston Churchill.

ECONOMIC UNION