Europe Stumbles Toward A Tighter Union

摘要

Starting in the 1950s, Europe's leaders edged closer. First came the European coal and steel cartel. Then the Common Market. Then the European Union, which now includes 27 states. Then the disappearance of many border controls inside the EU. Finally, the euro. Each step of the way the nations of Europe gave up a little more sovereignty, deferring to EU officials in Brussels on regulatory issues, honoring the rulings of the top EU court, and-with some exceptions such as Britain-yielding the power to set interest rates to the European Central Bank.