1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:04,980 Do you think the European Union is worth it? Or should we end it? 2 00:00:06,120 --> 00:00:10,759 Many people feel a strong disconnect with the EU, while others praise its achievements. 3 00:00:11,960 --> 00:00:16,460 Everything considered, is its existence good or bad for Europeans? 4 00:00:27,089 --> 00:00:32,570 Since it looks like the UK is leaving the EU, we'll mostly treat it as if it's no longer part of the club. 5 00:00:33,049 --> 00:00:39,969 The European Union, combining its 27 member countries, has a population of about 450 million people, 6 00:00:40,409 --> 00:00:43,810 making it the third most populous sort of country in the world. 7 00:00:44,409 --> 00:00:50,049 It's the world's second largest economy by GDP and has the biggest single market in the world. 8 00:00:51,189 --> 00:00:55,270 But originally, the creation of the European Union was all about one thing. 9 00:00:55,909 --> 00:00:56,289 Peace. 10 00:00:56,289 --> 00:01:03,090 Europeans are really good at war, so they were embroiled in bloody conflicts for basically all their history 11 00:01:03,090 --> 00:01:08,629 A century-long rivalry between Germany and France alone cost millions of lives 12 00:01:08,629 --> 00:01:13,530 and ran so deeply that Germans invented their own word for it, Erbfeinschaft 13 00:01:13,530 --> 00:01:21,769 After the Second World War, Europeans decided they wanted lasting peace that was not based on a balance of military power 14 00:01:21,769 --> 00:01:27,709 Instead, the economies, politics and peoples of Europe should become so closely interconnected 15 00:01:27,709 --> 00:01:31,510 that war would become both impractical and unthinkable. 16 00:01:32,670 --> 00:01:37,469 The plan worked. Between EU members, we've had over 70 years of peace. 17 00:01:38,590 --> 00:01:43,769 OK, peace is great and all, but what are the European Union's achievements and problems? 18 00:01:44,829 --> 00:01:48,530 Today, EU citizens benefit from many individual freedoms. 19 00:01:48,530 --> 00:01:58,530 EU treaties and regulations ensure easy travel, cheap telecommunications, a great variety of goods and services, as well as very strong health and safety standards. 20 00:01:58,530 --> 00:02:08,530 European institutions are not afraid to pick a fight with companies such as Microsoft, Apple or Facebook about fair competition, tax evasion or data protection. 21 00:02:08,530 --> 00:02:16,530 Through the EU science programmes, the European countries became a collaborative engine that serves as a hub of science in the wider world. 22 00:02:16,530 --> 00:02:20,729 Unrestricted travel and the right to work anywhere makes it easy to apply for 23 00:02:20,729 --> 00:02:25,650 funds and set up international teams of experts with the best equipment. In turn 24 00:02:25,650 --> 00:02:29,610 the EU became the world leader in terms of its global share of science 25 00:02:29,610 --> 00:02:34,650 researchers and produces more than 25% of the world's research output with only 26 00:02:34,650 --> 00:02:42,050 5% of its population. But many citizens feel distrust towards the EU. Brussels 27 00:02:42,050 --> 00:02:47,770 seems far away and untransparent technocratic and difficult to understand 28 00:02:47,770 --> 00:02:52,550 it doesn't help that the EU is terrible at outreach and explaining what it 29 00:02:52,550 --> 00:02:57,830 actually does this disconnect has also led to an ever shrinking voter turnout 30 00:02:57,830 --> 00:03:03,349 over the decades more transparency and accountability are desperately needed if 31 00:03:03,349 --> 00:03:09,150 the EU institutions want the trust of their citizens currently the EU is still 32 00:03:09,150 --> 00:03:14,750 shaken by the refugee crisis of 2015. Some countries have accepted far greater numbers 33 00:03:14,750 --> 00:03:19,789 of asylum seekers than others, while the border countries are overwhelmed and feel left alone. 34 00:03:20,750 --> 00:03:24,830 Other countries are shocked by the initially unregulated mass immigration 35 00:03:24,830 --> 00:03:28,990 and closed their borders, effectively shutting down the largest route into Europe. 36 00:03:30,110 --> 00:03:36,110 The EU's wealth and freedom make it an attractive destination, and this is unlikely to change. 37 00:03:36,110 --> 00:03:40,810 The population is split on how to react to that. 38 00:03:40,810 --> 00:03:44,870 Some argue that Europe let in too many immigrants with a different culture without strictly 39 00:03:44,870 --> 00:03:49,590 demanding integration, while others argue that immigration is not the problem, but that 40 00:03:49,590 --> 00:03:54,449 racism and discrimination of immigrants is preventing integration. 41 00:03:54,449 --> 00:03:59,449 To strike a balance between helping refugees, turning illegal immigrants away and successfully 42 00:03:59,449 --> 00:04:04,289 integrating the ones that stay remains one of the most difficult and controversial challenges 43 00:04:04,289 --> 00:04:06,090 of the Union. 44 00:04:06,090 --> 00:04:10,849 Immigration aside, many more challenges lie in the future, like defense. 45 00:04:10,849 --> 00:04:14,969 Traditionally, European countries have relied strongly on the protection of the US through 46 00:04:14,969 --> 00:04:16,930 NATO. 47 00:04:16,930 --> 00:04:21,149 But in the current political climate, Europe has to ask itself if it really wants to depend 48 00:04:21,149 --> 00:04:23,769 on the United States for its safety. 49 00:04:23,769 --> 00:04:28,889 If combined today, the militaries of EU members could form an effective defensive force and 50 00:04:28,889 --> 00:04:31,870 be the third largest military in the world. 51 00:04:31,870 --> 00:04:37,029 It could save a lot of money, safeguard European borders and enhance cultural understanding 52 00:04:37,029 --> 00:04:42,949 with soldiers from 27 different countries serving one common purpose. 53 00:04:42,949 --> 00:04:44,230 What about money? 54 00:04:44,230 --> 00:04:47,029 Well, it's complicated. 55 00:04:47,029 --> 00:04:50,350 The EU created the largest single market in the world. 56 00:04:50,350 --> 00:04:54,589 Inside it, you can trade border and customs free. 57 00:04:54,589 --> 00:04:57,689 Countries that entered it got a massive boost to their economies. 58 00:04:57,689 --> 00:05:03,569 Even between neighbours, trade increased by up to 500% and there was a steady creation of new jobs. 59 00:05:04,449 --> 00:05:12,829 Research has suggested that joining the EU has left most new members with an average of a 12% higher GDP than if they had remained outside. 60 00:05:13,329 --> 00:05:24,430 And for those regions with weaker economies and poor infrastructure, EU institutions provide billions of euros every year, helping economic investment, infrastructure and social development. 61 00:05:24,430 --> 00:05:34,149 On the negative side, the EU tries to hold together countries with vastly different economies and laws regarding labour, taxes and social security. 62 00:05:35,050 --> 00:05:41,529 The cost of one hour of work in an EU country ranges from 4 euros an hour to 40 euros an hour. 63 00:05:42,310 --> 00:05:48,870 Some countries have large industries and strong exports, while others focus on services, tourism or natural resources. 64 00:05:48,870 --> 00:05:55,870 On top of this, the Euro is the common currency of some, but not all, of these countries. 65 00:05:55,870 --> 00:06:00,870 As the Greek crisis shows, this can be a recipe for disaster. 66 00:06:00,870 --> 00:06:07,870 You cannot unify vastly different economies under one currency, but leave their economic policies separate. 67 00:06:07,870 --> 00:06:12,870 So, should all EU countries unite under the common currency or not? 68 00:06:12,870 --> 00:06:21,149 Should the weakest links be thrown out of the Euro, or should countries be made to adopt common policies on taxes, healthcare and social security? 69 00:06:21,750 --> 00:06:25,949 It's a question that's been brewing for years and is nowhere near a solution. 70 00:06:27,149 --> 00:06:31,670 So, everything briefly considered, is the European Union worth it? 71 00:06:32,470 --> 00:06:33,910 Here is our answer. 72 00:06:34,569 --> 00:06:38,290 The EU is very flawed and still needs a lot of work. 73 00:06:38,750 --> 00:06:42,470 But it's fair to say that the European Union makes Europeans powerful in the world. 74 00:06:42,870 --> 00:06:46,870 Put together, we lead in science, are one of the strongest economic powers, 75 00:06:46,870 --> 00:06:49,870 and could have one of the strongest militaries in the world. 76 00:06:49,870 --> 00:06:55,870 But more importantly, the EU gives us peace, security, and a sense of shared identity. 77 00:06:55,870 --> 00:07:00,870 And something we all crave in these turbulent times – stability. 78 00:07:00,870 --> 00:07:02,870 If we want to protect the values we're so proud of, 79 00:07:02,870 --> 00:07:07,870 a strong European Union is the best way to make sure our voice is heard in the world. 80 00:07:07,870 --> 00:07:17,550 Alone, as small states, we'll hardly stand a chance in a world of shifting superpowers. 81 00:07:17,550 --> 00:07:20,069 What do you think about the EU and its future? 82 00:07:20,069 --> 00:07:25,550 In recent years, the discussion about political topics has become super toxic with sad real-world 83 00:07:25,550 --> 00:07:26,550 consequences. 84 00:07:26,550 --> 00:07:28,089 Let's not do that. 85 00:07:28,089 --> 00:07:32,069 If you don't agree with this video, you're not our enemy, you just have a different opinion 86 00:07:32,069 --> 00:07:33,550 and that's fine. 87 00:07:33,550 --> 00:07:38,709 We're all in the same boat after all, so let's have a fact-based discussion about our future.