The development of Europe from the early 20th century has paved the rise of supranationalism and created an institution that is incomparable to the rest of the world. Due to this, European nations have a unique understanding when it comes to assimilation and performing the functions of a state under existing rules and regulations. Moreover, there is a culture that is unique and encompassing among members because of its long history of politics and the promotion of democracy. Seeing this, it may prove to be difficult to merge Americans because of these criteria.
Looking back, the idea of supranationalism was distinct in Europe alone. Not like in America wherein the system is characterized by a federal system, European institutions (EU) are comprised of functions and objectives that are run and kept by different sovereign states. This process took part in the evolution of how each nation perceived institutions and its relevant role in policy development and strategy application (Europa, 2008).
In the past, the development of the EU can be characterized to be an economic effort to address the Industrial revolution during that period. The European Economic Coal and Steel Community (EECSC) was a joint effort by Germany and France. This was vital because it created a consensus among the two parties that by creating an institution that would facilitate their collective needs. As soon as other European states joined the cause, other institutional entities became evident that eventually led to the creation of the European Community (EC).
Now, after the creation of the European Community, the setup of institutions was not anymore considered to be solely economic in nature (Europa, 2008). Rather, it transcended to political and social factors that are existent to all member states. In here, the value of institutions can be characterized as sovereign and independent with the consent of each European member. It began to legitimize its actions on the basis of agreed standards and rules as it existed more than just an institutional entity like the Unite Nations. It became an avenue for domestic and foreign policies as it unified different goals and objectives into one.
As the gateway opened for the creation of the European Union under the Maastricht Treaty, it helped modernize and intensify the grasp of institutions in areas such as social policies, foreign policy, trade and politics. The creation of the EU also paved the way for the creation of different institutions to further incorporate the diversity that is happening in both local and international arena.
Due to this, it is very difficult for the United States to become European because it is governed by supranational entities that have undergone numerous changes and developments distinct only to European states. The main rationale behind the difficulty to include Americans is the wide discrepancies of practices, cultures and understanding concerning the way Europeans submits their partial sovereignty to an institutional entity to promote and achieve goals that are similar to each member state.
Seeing this, it is too late for an outsider who has not been immersed to European culture and practices to be considered part of its institutions. It would need years of familiarization and participation for each one to fully maximize and comprehend its impact in achieving relative goals and objectives.
Reference
Europa (2008) Gateway to the European Union. Retrieved December 12, 2008 from,
http://europa.eu/index_en.htm
