> Eventually the European Union will have to confront U.S. power just as
> Germany in the late 19th century had eventually to confront British
> power.
Euro-optimists (such as myself) would argue the better parallel is, the 19th century US vs. Britain. Germany was a semiperiphery in the 19th century -- lightly industrialized, but with a massive, efficient army.
The EU already won the battle, though, and without firing a single shot: ten countries are joining the EU in 2004, with more on the way.
Have I mentioned the impending dollar collapse?
-- DRR