In theory, free trade can have great cultural and economic benefits. But it canbe detrimental to the local areas within an economic union when local interests are not protected.
While the four freedoms created the foundation for a free market and removed many tools of national governments to control the economic development of their countries, there still remained one obstacle to a fully open market.
The EUs social charter is based on a fundamental vision of basic economic and social security for all Europeans. However, the common market has made the poorer nations less competitive, and more dependent on aid.
Anti-EU sentiment is rising across much of the continent. Its institutions can appear undemocratic and the wisdom of its commitment to austerity policies in member states like Greece has been roundly questioned. Almost everyone agrees that the EU needs to be reformed. But is it possible?
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