THE ROMAN PATH OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

THE ROMAN PATH OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

The look at the advanced state of degeneration of French society and its programmed disappearance prompted me to turn my attention to the European Union, bearing in mind the main factors that, according to Montesquieu in his work Considerations on the Causes of the Greatness of the Romans and Their Decline (1734), contributed to the decline and fall of the Roman Empire. Montesquieu, in analyzing the fall of Rome, identified fundamental elements that remain relevant to understanding the dynamics of contemporary large political entities, such as the European Union.

I have therefore identified the factors which, according to Montesquieu, weakened the Roman Empire until its fall and sought to see if they are currently present in the European Union. This analysis gives the following:

1. Excessive Expansion

Rome: Difficulty in managing a vast empire with distant and heterogeneous provinces. The inability to maintain effective and uniform control contributed to the fragmentation of the Empire.

Europe: The European Union is expanding geographically and politically, with challenges of integration and managing cultural and economic diversity. For example, while enlargement to Eastern Europe has posed significant challenges in terms of economic and political harmonization which have not yet been addressed, Europe is still trying to expand further east.

2. Corruption of Morals

Rome: Loss of traditional values and rise of corruption. Senators and provincial governors were often involved in corruption scandals.

Europe: Perceived decline of traditional values and increase in political and economic corruption. Corruption scandals have erupted in countries like Greece, Hungary, and Romania, undermining citizens' trust in their institutions.

3. Concentration of Wealth

Rome: Growing gap between the rich and the poor, with an elite owning most of the land and resources, leading to social tensions.

Europe: Increasing economic inequalities between different social classes and regions. For example, disparities between the economies of Northern and Southern Europe have been exacerbated by the euro crisis, with countries like Germany prospering while Greece and Spain struggled to recover from the recession.

4. Dependence on Mercenaries

Rome: Recruitment of foreign mercenaries to defend the Empire, leading to decreased loyalty and effectiveness of the armed forces.

Europe: Dependence on migrant labour and private security forces. Debates on immigration and the management of the EU's external borders illustrate this dependence. For instance, the influx of migrant workers from Africa and the Middle East has been both a crucial source of labour and a subject of political controversy.

5. Civil Wars

Rome: Frequent internal conflicts and power struggles, weakening central authority and fragmenting the Empire.

Europe: Internal political tensions and the rise of populist and nationalist movements. Brexit is a striking example of internal conflict that has destabilized the EU and created deep divisions among its members.

6. Excessive Centralization of Power

Rome: Accumulation of power by the emperors, leading to abuses of power and erosion of republican institutions.

Europe: Centralization of power in Brussels and a sense of loss of national sovereignty in some member states. Criticisms of EU centralization have intensified, particularly in Central and Eastern European countries like Poland and Hungary, which accuse Brussels of excessive interference in their internal affairs.

7. Rise of Bureaucracy

Rome: Inefficient, heavy, and costly administration that hindered governance and aggravated economic problems.

Europe: Criticisms regarding the heavy bureaucracy of the EU. Regular reports highlight the complexity of EU administrative procedures and the associated costs, as evidenced by debates over agricultural subsidies and trade regulations.

8. Loss of Freedom

Rome: Reduction of civil and political liberties under imperial rule, with increased surveillance and repression of dissent.

Europe: Debates on mass surveillance, digital rights, and restrictions on freedom. Increased surveillance measures, such as those implemented after terrorist attacks, have raised concerns about infringements on privacy and individual liberties.

9. Inflation and Currency Devaluation

Rome: Economic problems and currency devaluation, leading to hyperinflation and fiscal crisis.

Europe: Economic crises, debt in some countries, and debates over the stability of the euro. The sovereign debt crisis in Southern European countries highlighted the EU's economic vulnerabilities and led to unpopular austerity measures.

10. Barbarian Invasions

Rome: Incursions by foreign peoples, contributing to the destabilization and fragmentation of the Empire.

Europe: Migrant crises and perceptions of threat from terrorist groups. The massive arrival of Syrian refugees and others from conflict regions has created tensions within the EU, testing European solidarity and border management.

11. Decline of Patriotism

Rome: Decrease in loyalty to Rome, with citizens and soldiers less willing to defend the Empire.

Europe: Crisis of European identity, rise of nationalism, and skepticism towards the EU. Populist and nationalist movements, such as the National Front in France and the Party for Freedom in the Netherlands, capitalize on popular discontent with the EU.

12. Moral and Social Decadence

Rome: Corruption and excessive luxury, accompanied by widespread moral decline.

Europe: Criticisms of loss of morality, increased consumption, and culture of excess. Financial scandals and extravagant behaviour of some political and economic elites have fuelled a sense of moral decadence.

13. Decline of Agriculture

Rome: Neglect of agriculture, with increased reliance on imports and lands owned by an urban elite.

Europe: Problems in the agricultural sector, increased reliance on food imports, and subsidies. The EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is often criticized for its complexity and ineffectiveness in supporting small farmers.

14. Religious Crises

Rome: Religious tensions and adoption of Christianity, which profoundly changed the social and political structure of the Empire.

Europe: Secularism vs. rising religious influence, growing religious tensions. Debates over the wearing of the Islamic veil in France and tensions between religious communities highlight the importance of religious issues in current European politics.

15. Problems of Imperial Succession

Rome: Frequent changes of emperors, often by violent means, creating chronic political instability.

Europe: Political instability and frequent changes of government. Recurrent political crises in Italy and early elections in Spain illustrate this instability.

16. Clumsy Reforms

Rome: Reforms that, instead of solving problems, often aggravated them due to inadequate implementation or opposition.

Europe: Economic and social policies sometimes criticized for their inefficiency. EU reforms in response to the euro crisis were deemed insufficient or poorly targeted by many economists and politicians.

17. Overstrain of Military Resources

Rome: Exhaustion of military resources, leading to an inability to effectively defend borders and maintain order.

Europe: Reduction of defense budgets and challenges in collective security. The lack of coordination and budget cuts in the armed forces of several EU member states have raised concerns about Europe's ability to ensure its own defense.

18. Communication Problems

Rome: Communication difficulties in a vast empire, leading to failures in transmitting orders and information.

Europe: Coordination and communication challenges among EU member states. Multiple languages and diverse administrative systems often complicate the implementation of common policies.

19. Neglect of Border Defense

Rome: Neglect of border defense, allowing repeated invasions by foreign peoples.

Europe: Debates on the management of the EU's external borders and border security. Migrant crises and terrorist attacks have highlighted weaknesses in EU border controls.

These parallels show that although the historical and geographical contexts are different, some fundamental challenges are repeated through the ages. It is important to study and understand these factors to better anticipate and manage current and future crises in Europe. Without awareness and concerted action, the EU could experience a similar fate to that of the Roman Empire.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the European Union faces many challenges reminiscent of those that contributed to the fall of the Roman Empire. By recognizing these parallels and learning from history, it is possible to implement effective strategies to prevent such a decline. It is crucial that European citizens engage in debates about the future of the EU and work collectively for a renewal of values and political practices.

It is also crucial to let European citizens express themselves and to take their expressed wishes into account.

Only concerted action can ensure the sustainability of this great political enterprise that is the European Union.

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