The Foreign Service Journal, April 2017

34 APRIL 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL will derive no profit from going has convinced public opinion in the remaining 27 countries of the compelling advantages of membership. In the ever- tougher conditions of the globalizing world economy, Europeans know that not even the continent’s largest coun- tries can expect to make their voices heard and advance their own interests. This is not to say that the next few years will be smooth sailing for Europe. The need for concerted intergovernmental action to protect the euro and recover the E.U.’s popularity is plain to see, but hard to achieve. Ranged against a more dynamic approach are the electoral costs of supporting more bonds with Europe when so many voters want fewer. Succes- sive European Union member governments have habitually blamed Brussels for unwelcome developments, thus devaluing the whole notion of closer integration. The continent’s prized solidarity has been the casualty, and may prove to be mortally wounded. America’s support for Europe’s great experiment of voluntarily relinquishing national sovereignty has been crucial. It was, of course, also in America’s own interest and remains so to this day. Washing- ton will continue to exert a major influence on the E.U.’s future, and the European Union will doubtless continue as a bloc. Without Washington’s encouragement, the E.U. risks stagnating, robbing America of its most powerful political and economic ally; but with renewed and sustained U.S. backing Europe will be far better placed to survive and thrive. Just as no single E.U. country can go it alone in the 21st century, nor should America envisage a future of splendid isolation. n Without Washington’s encouragement, the E.U. risks stagnating, robbing America of its most powerful ally.