One of the resolutions that I frequently make competitive high school debaters debate about is a proposal for the EU to federalize and form the united states of Europe. Honestly, the EU really should try this. African leaders are also trying to form a United States of Africa, and I wouldn't be surprised if something like it happens by the 2030s or 2040s...
I'm guessing you're not European from this comment. This is not meant as an attack; it just seems like your comment lacks the perspective of actually living in the EU.
EU law makes news. It doesn't make many obvious appearances in day to day life when you're living there, however.
From my perspective, EU law does not play the most dominant role in everyday life. Apart from the big (or super silly) changes, it’s often more of a news maker. Take that plus big cultural differences (most notably: not being able to understand each other’s language), and you get a feeling of own nationalities.
There are still so many cultural and legislative differences between countries that people don't feel Europeans, they identify with the individual country.
The UK was definitely the country which stood out the most in EU, so after Brexit, the EU lost one furthest away country in its block, in terms of diversity.
EU law cover stuff you hardly run into. Sure, you have euros everywhere but they don't regulate how much taxes you pay or how your national health care is managed.
All is fine until they start regulating on things that matter. Immigration is definitely one of the first sector where people started noticing they're in the EU, because they're unhappy with the results.
US bureaucracy is not any better than EU. Have you dealt with the FDA, FAA or SEC?
The difference is that the EU tries to protect people in different aspects like social rights or privacy. The US does not offer similar protection, so in some sectors you don't hit the bureaucracy.
The US started as a fresh new country with minimal state and unbridled capitalism and became the largest state in the world.
There are still a few remnants of the old days (like all that capital $$$) but it basically become an Europe with expensive healthcare, expensive universities and tons of social issues.
might be a joke, but the thought of being the Wise Old Men setting rules for the rest of the world plays perfectly well to our historical strengths, so to speak. Euro man burden, anyone?
But does ASML build anything? or is their business just owning the "IP" (though, granted knowing this things is not trivial, and it's even more difficult given their closedness)
US: We'll bring the software!
China: We'll bring the hardware!
EU: We'll bring the regulation!