Yes, Italy and Spain (I supposed prior to the present government) are/were a little more pragmatic in their approach to American power. Italians harbour no delusions I would imagine. Eastern Europe seems to be a strong ally of the U.S.

I agree. They HAVE to work together towards a common goal. No doubt it.

As far as I am concerned, how can we blame the USA for being a superpower (with all it implies of realpolitick etc.)? Only, I am wondering, is this ‘two sides of the West not sticking together’ still corresponding to American and European interests?

No we can’t blame the US at all but I’m afraid it is the price they will (must) pay for being one.

To stick together one must have common purpose. The ‘Cold War’ was a common purpose. There was a definite ‘enemy’ that could be seen, pinpointed and guarded against. Now we have ‘terrorists’ but where exactly are they? All around us, of course and therefore not so easy to define.

I fear the EU uses its power to simply counter the U.S. at all cost.
Well, it is true that especially France and Germany have countered the US a lot. The position of Italy, Spain etc. has been a bit different.

Yes, Italy mostly contributed to create, before and during the Renaissance, that so called New Learning that was economical, technological, military, not to mention the arts, philosophy etc. This New Learning, writes Preserved Smith in the 1956 edition of the Britannica, provoked ‘an intellectual force of stupendous magnitude and incalculable explosive power …’ which helped the Europeans to conquer the world (and conquer Italy as well lol).

So the gurus were left out and declined… it is fun to ‘imagine if’ …. though history cannot be changed.

Yes, Americans are aware of European power but I fear the EU uses its power to simply counter the U.S. at all cost.

Interesting you mention Italy as a guru. Studying this period, it becomes clear Italian know-how and money was key. They were behind the scenes so to speak. Makes you wonder what the world would be like had they been united earlier than 1871.

Yes, in some way. As far as I am concerned, how can we blame the USA for being a superpower (with all it implies of realpolitick etc.)? Only, I am wondering, is this ‘two sides of the West not sticking together’ still corresponding to American and European interests?

Yes, dear Canadian Commentator, I think we are at this point, being it fruitful to consider things from both a global and historically long-period angle (I know I am obsessed and obsessing). From 1500 AD on the European folks conquered the world. With Italy in the background like a sort of guru for all of them, Portugal, Spain, Holland, Belgium, France, Great Britain invaded the planet. Then the US, sprouted from Europe (not many doubts about it) took over. Don’t they all belong to the same West? Aren’t they perceived as a unity from the other peoples in the world? After all, they represent (represented?) the white people domination over the world. A domination soon to be over.

The UK in greater decline than Italy?
As I said, I share your doubts. Probably the contrary is true.

the EU seems to define itself in terms of countering American power
Well, it can be true, but I have the impression that also America is afraid of European power and that, together with the UK, is sort of playing a blocking-European-unity role. This was the sense of this previous post of mine: why don’t we Western people do ourselves the favour of sticking together tighter in order to better delay our possible decline? Am I an idealist to even think that a larger vision can prevail over petty (national-interest driven) politics? Probably …

Now, Italy – it’s going downhill, but has not gone as far down as the US or the UK yet
Wow, I wish I could agree that Italy is less declining than UK (or US) actually is, but I have a totally different perception …

Yes, now money is the new God. This is part of our decadence, both American and European.

Political correctness has overtaken common sense (here in the UK)
Something of this is penetrating in Italy too, but probably not so much. Hard for me to say, since I didn’t live in the UK that long

Ciao e grazie

But, since the USA is the new Roman Empire, most countries (or State entities such as the EU) try to counter the imperialist power, don’t they?

@MoR

Great post. Can’t wait for part 2.