Hallmarks of an EU power play

Europe's crisis is not an economic experiment gone horribly wrong, but the predictable result of a long power play where economics have always taken the back seat.

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Colm Moore,

Excellent as always. I found the link to your August 2011 article added an extra depth of intrigue and explanation as to why the future of the euro was the price for one Germany (Hallmarks of an EU power play, January 24).

Peter Aitkin,

I thought the European Union was brought about for one simple but lofty ideal: to end the disgraceful history of two thousand odd years of brutal inter-European war (Hallmarks of an EU power play, January 24). The economics of the region are a consequence of that Union. And it seems to me to be working so far. There's no war between euro members and more countries still lining up to join.

Peter Sydney,

Once again it is very useful to dig deeper in the past to better explain the present. However, what is missing from the article is what the author expects to happen now and whether there is a solution (Hallmarks of an EU power play, January 24). From all accounts it is difficult to see the situation getting any better before it gets a lot worse. While there is unlikely to be any war between euro countries, increased hardship and poverty are likely to occur for many.