As the world currently focuses on Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran and Israel—not to mention a biting recession—it's easy to overlook important European events. Yet the European Union (EU) stands once again perched on the brink of approving the Lisbon Treaty (really the renamed EU Constitution), which is designed to drastically increase the structure, power and influence of this transnational governmental body. What will happen to Europe in the long run?
by John Ross Schroeder
For the last several years, the world's media has been rife with predictions concerning the potential collapse of the EU. For instance, Mark Steyn wrote in the The National Post in Canada, "To the list of polities destined to slip down the Eurinal of history, we must add the European Union and France's Fifth Republic. The only question is how messy their disintegration will be" (May 1, 2002).
Adding to many Internet blogs and newspaper and magazine articles, several books have been written about the so-called coming demise of the European Union.
According to Bible prophecy, any eventual demise of the present 27-nation EU could quickly be followed by a new grouping of European nations at the core of a powerful combine described in the book of Revelation.
While it is certainly true that there are severe social and economic problems in England and on the European continent, contemporary history shows us that incredibly powerful dictatorial regimes have emerged out of severe economic conditions. A deep depression and hyperinflation were major factors in bringing Hitler to power in Germany, for example.
Why the far right is reemerging in Europe
The current economic recession has produced a growth in extremist, right-wing parties in many corners of Europe. Some are even beginning to influence European legislation. The loss of trust in mainstream political parties also looms large in this growth of extremism.
