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Fanny Walden
What's the ideal? German corporatism enforced by French statism?
I think the 'ideal' would be a union of countries where free movement is encouraged, the ability to live/work within the union is unfettered, and an agreement be made with regards to maintaining a level of both wages and services for each member nation. A national healthcare system in each member country. An agreement that there always be a % of affordable housing available (not just 'market-rate' but proper, affordable housing). Each country having nationalised water and power infrastructures. An agreed standard of education. Food standards which encourage health. Agricultural agreements which support and reward fresh produce and local farming whilst also embracing fair trade of such goods within member nations. It would require a root commitment to the idea of societies being supported with basic structures.
Of course this is an ideal which will never be achieved. I'd take a compromise on the above for sure. People would be so afraid that something like the above takes away from nation 'sovereignty' that I'd likely be put in the stocks and have tinned-tomatoes thrown at me, but I believe there is absolutely a way in which a basic structure of this nature could be put in place AND still allow us our wenslydales and morris dancing and lederhosen and sauerkraut, etc, etc...but again, sadly 'tis an ideal!