Making Europe a world superpower
The European Union is essential to defend the interests of its citizens at world level against economic and demographic giants such as China, the United States, India and even Brazil. In order for the EU to have a say in international summits and major decisions, greater integration of its members is imperative.
This is why federalism allows the EU to take charge of certain areas in order to implement coherent global policies that will strengthen the continent’s economy as a whole.
Europe must manage only a few competences
For example, labour taxation must converge, or a genuine offensive economic strategy must be drawn up in order to defend the interests of all Europeans throughout the world. That is what the United States or even the Chinese do, of course.
For this to happen, the pooling of resources at European level must involve at least diplomacy, defence and the broad lines of economic and social policy.
The EU Office, Europol, must also be radically transformed into the European FBI’ to track down major criminals, terrorists, trafficking of all kinds or to investigate certain judicial cases. Frontex, a mere coordinating agency, must transform itself into a genuine European border police force and have the means to enforce a single European migration policy.
Rethinking Democracy
In this process, it is imperative that citizens are directly involved. That is to say, more democracy must be brought into European functioning. This is what institutional federalism allows.
For example, this is reflected in the election of the European President by direct universal suffrage. Parliament must be given more powers in the areas mentioned above. It would be composed of two chambers, one representing European citizens and the other federated states within the EU.
Adapting the role of the State
Then comes the State, which until now has embodied the sovereignty of a people. Its political, economic and cultural roots make it an indispensable level to act as an intermediary between the EU and the regions. This is the vision of a three-tiered Federal Europe, with states becoming an essential relay of power between regions and Europe.
