Blue vs. White: The Confederation an ideal model for world unity

The assimilation of smaller countries into a larger confederation provides them a larger amount of security and economic stability that would not be afforded otherwise. It sounds cold-hearted, as if it is advocating for a cultural takeover. However, the benefits of military and economic prosperity balance out any perceived cultural effects. The United States is an example of the security provided by being part of a larger unit, while maintaining a cultural identity in each state. The European Union offers much to its smaller countries, providing most with a strong economy. Furthermore, it must be considered whether the “melting pot” model hurts confederations and if a “salad bowl” serves its purposes more accurately.

This is not to encourage rigid imperialism, but rather that when states enter freely into a union, they make a social contract to agree to the rules of that union and receive said benefits. Thus the example of Northern Ireland’s struggle, whether or not it should exist as a part of the United Kingdom, is rather invalid to this argument. Taking a country by military force is not the optimal method for constructing a federation. Admittedly, with the world being filled with the residual pains of previous military action, and with continued strong military presence, it proves hard to make the case that the world will move towards a more peaceful method of joining together.

However, with the goal of security, it is logical for countries to band together in the face of another power. This is the reason for alliances, much like that of the Allies in World War 2. Now, stronger powers like the United States and the United Kingdom obviously receive much of the praise from the history books, but less forceful countries like Albania, Norway, Poland and Egypt were still able to contribute to the war front and benefit when the war was over. Poland was overtaken by Germany in 1939, beginning the war in the first place. Its ties to the Allies provided aid to Poland during and after the war, in the form of the Marshall plan which provided $13 billion as a gift to European nations.

Looking at economic prosperity, it is helpful to turn to the European Union. Being a part of this larger organization reduces the burden on smaller countries to perform. In fact, smaller countries that are new additions to the European Union have experienced a greater increase GDP growth rate. As a whole, the EU is the world’s biggest exporter and second largest importer. As a member of the European Union, there is significant support during economic crisis. For example, during the current economic crisis, EU governments pulled together €2 trillion to support their fellow EU members. A new development, part of the European Stabilization Actions, offers a financial stability package of up to €750 billion.

Many blame the euro, the currency of the EU, for the extinction of currencies familiar only to a specific European country. Yet, the euro delivers significant stability to the countries of the EU by reducing interest rates for countries who support the EU, establishing a banking system consistent across the countries, eliminates hassle and costs associated with money exchange, and maintaining price stability as key interest rates are stabilized at low levels.

The effect on culture, or rather, the “perceived” effect on culture is a contributor to the negative attitude towards the assimilation of various countries. In a way, this is a “melting pot” or “salad bowl” issue. A “melting pot” culture takes different cultures and fuses them into one distinct culture. As the opposite, a “salad bowl” model is where distinct cultures come together but remain distinct, having their own favor in the bowl if you will.

It is not impossible to have “salad bowl” culture. A confederation of countries can come together and support each other for economic prosperity, such as in the European Union. History has shown that countries are more powerful as allies. Is it naive to assume that a society can exist that allows for a “salad bowl” culture? Canada has had success with such with their “cultural mosaic.” It is wholly possible for an assimilation of countries that is beneficial to the countries it serves, while maintaining distinct cultures. It is possible for this to be done without war and with tolerance. It is possible and is the future for the ever-shrinking world.  

Read the other side of the story here.