European union?

“It is historical realism that has made it clear to me that the unity of Europe as a society is not an “ideal” but a very ancient daily fact, and having seen this fact one cannot but confront the probability of a general European state. As for the occasion that will suddenly bring  this process to a close, it might be almost anything: a Chinaman’s pigtail appearing behind the Urals or a shock from the great Islamic magma.”   -

       Jose Ortega y Gasset,  “Unity and Diversity of Europe”  in the Norton English translation  “History as a System and other essays toward a philosophy of history”, 1941

The Chinese no longer wear pigtails, and they are nowhere near the Urals at present,  but the rise of China as a major power is real and obvious enough, and there surely are things bubbling in the Islamic world for Europeans to notice. Though no longer as large a threat   as in the days of the Soviet empire,  Russia is still there, still armed and ambitious, and still not the other Europeans' fast or reliable friend.  Yet there is little or no apparent interest in much of Europe in making continental Europe a power capable of defending itself.  

The main  reason for this may be  that European politicians and officials  see no reason to take responsibility for their defense and security since the United States takes  on that task and picks up that burden for them. However that  could change.  America has quite a bit  to handle in its own hemisphere and the Pacific and a president who is of the opinion that prosperous Europeans  can and should take care of themselves – a notion with which many Americans who are not otherwise supporters of Trump agree.  (As one example there are many of us questioning whether, now that America can get all the oil it needs from sources at or close to home, we need to keep trying to police the Middle East at significant cost and little noticeable benefit.)

Another reason may be the unpopularity of the present European Union.  People in various  parts of Europe see the EU as inimical to their cultural and national identities, resent it as a front for a de facto German continental empire,  or just oppose it as more burden, trouble,  and annoyance than it is worth -  too much cost for too little benefit.  Then there is the hangover from the horrible wars and tyrannies of the 20^th Century.  Europeans may just be too worn out to do much at least until  the threats get worse and more obvious.

Whatever the reasons, it would be better for Europe and civilization if the Europeans would do what is needed to become able to protect themselves.  America cannot do everything, and Americans may be moving toward deciding they don’t have to try.