The United States of Europe

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They, the people of Europe, in order to form a more perfect union, are convening in Brussels, and the end result may be a European Constitution. The head of the meeting is already calling himself a “Ben Franklin” and comparing the year-long gathering to the Philadelphia Convention. Some people are even testing out a new name: “The United States of Europe.” Ask many Europeans “in the know” and they’ll say non, nein, nay, we’re different, it will be different.

They say that most citizens of EU countries are watching the would-be founding fathers carefully, quite clear about retaining sovereignty, clear about limiting the organization. They say they have no intention of aping the U.S. They want to be better.

Guests:

Andrew Moravcsik, Professor of Government and Director of the European Union Center, Harvard University

Giles Merrit, director of Forum Europe

Arnand Leparmentier, Brussels Bureau Chief for Le Monde

and Dominique Moisi, co-director of the French Institute of International Relations.