On December 10, the European Union will be honored for the culmination of sixty years of political construction that has shielded it from conflicts, enabled reconciliation, the development of democracy, the rule of law, trade between nations, the mingling of cultures and populations, respect for freedom, women’s status, and ethical behavior.
The European Coal and Steel Community, founded in 1951, was a peace-promoting project oriented inward, placing the heavy industry of Germany and France under European administration. A brilliant project, laying the foundations for their historical reconciliation.
In Europe, whose credo is “never again,” “eternal peace” is by no means guaranteed. But it’s essential not to forget that the 20th century, with 100 million deaths, was the bloodiest in absolute numbers.
In this regard, it’s curious that the dismantling of colonial empires, and the dirty wars that accompanied it, did not negatively impact European integration, which began at the same time.
This stems from the unique nature of the European aspiration for pacification, which, starting from the ’50s, was entirely focused on internal reconciliation and allowed emerging forces to take over the colonial empires that had descended into chaos.
Europe can only exist if it modernizes, integrates, and neutralizes nationalism within an ambitious project.
But despite all the difficulties, uncertainties, and missteps, Europe has learned to stand tall and move forward.
This is what the euro crisis is showing us: it creates dissentions that the euro was supposed to eliminate but forces the EU to move forward towards greater monetary integration and budgetary governance.
And one day, towards more political union. When Emmanuel Kant spoke of “perpetual peace” among peoples, he was describing something very similar to what the European Union has built.
Considering this, the Nobel Committee has outpaced everyone. Fundamentally, it is perfectly logical for the Nobel Committee to honor the EU precisely at this moment.
