Reasons of state

摘要

The growth of the European Union has coincided with an unprecedented period of peace and prosperity in Western Europe. France and Germany, which fought three devastating wars between 1870 and 1945, are now the closest of partners. Spain, Portugal and Greece have recovered from a long period of authoritarian backwardness to join the European mainstream. Historians will debate just how much credit the eu can take for this newly golden European age. Other factors-America's military role in Europe, the growth in world trade and the end of competition between imperial powers—have all played their part. But to many of its member states, it is first and foremost the European Union that can take the credit for banishing the ghosts of history.