Lawyers say that the European Union and the United States are completely different. They are probably right. But from the point of view of the average citizen, the similarities in everyday life are many, although there are still some fundamental differences.
Similarities
Let's start with the obvious: the USA as in much of Europe, citizens use a single currency, identical to that of neighboring states. The borders between states are also fully open within the Union.
As in Europe, the USA, a number of areas remain the responsibility of the States: traffic, certain taxes, social security, minimum wage, certain areas of justice (the laws on marriage, drugs or port arms for example), etc. opt-out procedures also exist for certain legislation at the federal level (eg opt-out may exist for certain parts of the reform of the health system wanted by Barack Obama).
At the political level, some courses are demanding more independence of states from the federal government, in contrast, other trends want more control by the Union. The governors, senators, and other local elected officials in the United States indeed retain great importance in daily life.
Differences
Historical differences are obvious: the United States of America were born there more than 200 years, a willingness of the British colonies to break free of the Crown. Europe meanwhile is built for less than a century, gradually, block after block (first by coal and steel, then by an economic area, etc.) What is still missing Europe to unite all its citizens, it is the direct election of a President. We saw it in 2008, the election of the US President has gathered all Americans - and this even if the power of it is still quite limited in practice. In the European Union, for against, parliamentary elections were marked by a decline in participation rates. The Euro-enthusiasts also calling for political parties transnational lists and the proposal of a candidate for President of the Commission during the parliamentary campaign to better politicize the debate.
Another fundamental difference between the US and the EU is language: even if the plurality of accents (sometimes different as to be almost incomprehensible to one another) is real, the English language is the norm in the US . Follows a media presence on all the US territory, something that does not exist in Europe where 23 official languages coexist.The link of citizens in general and in particular policies "Founding Fathers" is also very different: in the USA, it is common in political discussions, referring to it; while in the EU, few people even know the names of the founders of Europe, let alone the principles that have guided. Finally, the US citizen feels totally American, while in contrast, is the first European will claim (or only) to its original state.
Is Europe must model the United States of America?
Probably not: the similarities exist, but it is not simply copying the USA that we will move Europe forward. By cons, it is worth looking at in detail these differences; Why not take some ideas there. As mentioned above, give a European dimension to the election of MEPs, with transnational lists and a nominee for the presidency of the Commission, could gather voters around really European issues, and give more substance to political Europe . Similarly, the history of European integration and the principles that have guided still too little known, undermining European sentiment.
A greater presence on the international stage, with common positions and coordinated responses among Member States, could also gather all Europeans; it is this idea that guided the creation of the post of High Representative for Foreign Policy, occupied since December 2009 by Catherine Ashton, but we are still far from having achieved this. Finally, it is important, even essential, to keep the cultural and linguistic diversity of Europe. This wealth must be preserved, but we must push for greater understanding between Member States - not only linguistic but also cultural.
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