• Zedstrian@lemmy.dbzer0.com
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    12
    ·
    2 days ago

    None of the benefits existed before the EU existed. Countries economically benefit from joining the EU due to those novel benefits, but in absence of them, countries otherwise don’t lose anything they had already by not joining.

    • plyth@feddit.org
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      1
      arrow-down
      9
      ·
      2 days ago

      None of the disadvantages of not joining existed either. If neighboring countries stop doing business because transaction costs with countries within the EU are becoming cheaper for them then a country can shrink, or join the EU. In democracies that will inevitably lead to pro EU parties winning.

        • plyth@feddit.org
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          1
          arrow-down
          6
          ·
          1 day ago

          Yes. Yet is it wise to use the power to force other countries to support it?

          • Eheran@lemmy.world
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            5
            ·
            1 day ago

            It sounds like complaining that a shared flat is allowing the people living there to have lower cost of living?

            • plyth@feddit.org
              link
              fedilink
              English
              arrow-up
              2
              arrow-down
              1
              ·
              20 hours ago

              When Walmart comes to a town, everything is cheaper there, until the other shops have closed.

              The EU can be all good, like a shared flat. But it could also be like Walmart. It’s difficult to know.

              By making fair deals the EU makes sure that it stays good. If the EU is willing to force the hand of countries it’s likely that it will force the hand of its workers.

              Of course, Britain can’t quit and expect to keep all advantages.