Before we answer that question, we need to look at the European Union (EU) and its history. The dream of a united Europe was first devloped in 1950 by a French economist by the name of Jean Monnet. His goal was to stop war in Europe by integrating first the economies of each country and then their politics. In 1951, the first treaty, known as the Schuman plan, was drafted. This plan was simple. It cooridinated steel and coal production amongst 6 countries. These countries were: France, West Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Italy. In 1958, these same countries formed the "Common Market." Britain, Ireland, and Denmark joined in 1973, and Greece, Spain and Portugal joined in 1986. The major problem threatening European unity was the Cold War. When the Berlin Wall fell, the "Common Market" started its transition into the European Union. In 1992, with the Treaty of Maastricht, the EU was formed. It was later strengthened by the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1999. The orignal EU had 15 members. In 2004, the EU is scheduled to add 6 new members and 7 more are to follow at a later time.
Now back to our original question: Will adding these members strengthen or weaken the EU? The answer is yes and no. It will tie these countries both politically and economically to the other nations. But will this help the EU? Politically, I think the answer is yes. This inclusion of these states will bring together more countries for a common goal. It will also give these countries a sense of community in the world and will help them economically. As far as the economy of the EU as a whole, I think this will weaken the union, although perhaps not permanently. The countries that will become members of the EU in 2004 are largely "Cold War" communist societies. They have just recently turned to market economies and are still feeling the effects of failed communism. In the short run, this will have a draining effect on the other nations of the EU. If the EU can sustain these nations until their economies can get off the ground, then in the long run these nations will only stengthen the EU. The second wave of integration again takes in nations that have been under communist socities. The EU will have to survive the first round before it can prepare for the second. If you look at American history, we started out with just 13 states and now we have 50. If the EU can overcome growing pains, as we did, it will strengthen itself with these additions.
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