The EU as Empire

The idea of the European Union as an empire had never really crossed my mind before today, but the more I reflect on the idea, the more interesting the issue is to me. The way I came across the idea in the first place was by looking up which countries still have a system of monarchy as at least part of their government (quite a few more than I'd realized). Going over the list, I came across the fact that Japan is the last country in the world that is considered an Empire. Other countries are under dictatorships, constitutional monarchies, constitutionally democratic monarchies, federations, emirates, etc., but only Japan is listed as Empire. A footnote details this tidbit:

"After its origins as a Western European trade bloc, the Post-Cold War era European Union has since issued its own currency, formed its own military, and exercised its hegemony in Eastern European nations and abroad. As a consequence, political scientist, Jan Zielonka, has argued that the EU has transformed itself into an empire by coercing its neighbors into adopting economic, legal and political patterns in its own image."

Now, a classic definition of "empire" will almost certainly include such activities, with one additional condition required - something to the effect of "ruled by a single person, group, or authority." It could be argued that the EU meets at least one basic definition, "supreme political power over several countries when exercised by a single authority." However, in my opinion, and I believe the opinion of most people, there are two problems with such an argument. Most empires in history have been led by one single person as the head of the empire: Genghis Khan of the Mongolian Empire, Alexander the Great of the Macedonian (or Alexander the Great's) Empire, the monarchy figures in the British, Dutch and Spanish (and so so many other) Empires, etc.

The other problem I have with the argument is that the EU does not hold supreme political power over its members. It certainly has vast coercive and political powers, but each individual nation holds its own autonomous authority apart from that of the EU. In that sense, the EU is much more a federation - actually, almost identical to the original formation of the United States of America. There was a time when the United States "were," not "was" something. The U.S. is a Federated Republic by nature, and has been incorporated into being defined as one nation with states, not States.

Perhaps this will be the ultimate fate of the EU - the United States of Europe, so to speak. But certainly, I don't think, without explicit imperial ambitions or a single figurehead ruling upon high, the EU will be considered an Empire. Interesting thought though...

I might follow this up with a thought about my understanding of the American Empire arguments... that's pretty interesting as well!