360 Degrees: The Euro

"The euro will raise the citizens' awareness of their belonging to one Europe more than any other integration step to date.” ~ Gerhard Schroeder


For some strange, inexplicable reason, the Euro (yes, like the currency) popped into my head as a subject for this blog post. I've decided to run with it.

Alright, let's first establish that you either think a cross-continental currency is a good thing or a bad thing, or you could be indifferent, I suppose. I personally can't decide (like always). But, I actually have semi-intelligent reasons.

On the pro-Euro side, I think that it promotes a greater unity in Europe that never really existed before. Since the fall of the Roman Empire, the diverse peoples of Europe have been brutally slaughtering each other. Only recently, as of the 1990s, has that ceased. Maybe the Euro won't stop the onset of another world war that has roots in European conflict. But, then again, maybe that extra sense of togetherness that is being promoted right now across the continent, will be the straw that did not break the camels back (please excuse the horrendous cliche that I just shamefully utilized). There's also the argument of simple convenience. France and Italy are about as far apart as Illinois and Michigan; can you imagine having to change your money to go to Michigan? Not to mention, what if you stopped at a rest stop in Indiana (assuming that you're going to the lower peninsula) and had to change your money there too? It would just be a hassle...

As for the anti-Euro argument, the Euro destroys some of the last bits of cultural identity every European country has. Globalization has gone too far; way too far. If I am French, I want to see someone who was born in France, someone who speaks French, someone who legitimately loves cheese that smells (and sometimes tastes) like rotten arm-pits, on my money, not some graphically pleasant European symbol of "unity". Seriously, what's next? A cross-continental language to rob us of our tongues (oh wait, they already tried that...)?

I obviously took it a little too far in the last paragraph, but nevertheless, I think both sides have a point. Then, there is, the indifferent side. But I need not explain their stance, it's self-explanatory.

The one thing I'm really curious about is what the people in Europe actually feel about the Euro. I mean, I've been to Europe three times (one of them was in England, and they are too British to use the Euro) and I never heard anything from the people, either way. They were in no way cursing out the money when we gave it to them (in fact they happily accepted it). Are they suppressing some burning pit if bottomless hate and resentment? Maybe...??