Dangerous territory !

David Cameron's plan to let British citizens decide whether the United Kingdom should remain in the Common Market seems the ultimate form of democracy.  Surely that is a matter that can only be decided by a popular vote !

Originally, this " Common Market " was envisaged as a grouping of European countries who would prosper by sharing a market for their goods.  The long term objective was a dismantling of national borders to allow the free movement of citizens, the establishment of a common currency - and perhaps the creation of some sort of " United States of Europe "    To this end, a bureaucracy to set up rules and regulations was created in Brussels.

The sticking point for many Britons is the autocratic stance and ever increasing cost of this control juggernaut.   The GFC has increased it's clout because of the failure of some member states to manage their finances and is now proposing measures that may harm British interests.   It is proposed to implement a " transactions tax " that may shift the centre of financial gravity away from London.

Britain did not adopt the Euro and now many of it's citizens want to put limits on the ability of Brussels to rule their lives.  It seems to be a matter of either limiting the terms of membership, or departing the union entirely - and that will be the choice presented to the voters.

It would be wise to remember a less publicly stated objective of creating a European union.  It was hoped that a mutually dependent and prosperous grouping of nations would have less reason to go to war with one another.

For centuries, Europe has been the scene of countless wars.   They have raged over the acquisition of colonies, the sharing of trade routes - and religion.   Many of those wars were based on the desire of France and Spain to invade England - and reimpose Catholicism at the point of a sword.   Christian relations now seem more settled, but new tensions are brewing between Christianity and Islam.

One fear guiding the creation of the European Union was the prospect of a reawakening of nationalism in Germany.   In the twentieth century, Germany was responsible for two world wars that killed millions - and within the present EU Germany is clearly the most prosperous country - and the roots of National Socialism are still present just below the surface.

This coming referendum could see the dismantling of the EU or it's recreation in another form.   That brings with it danger.  If the German industrial powerhouse finds itself shackled to a bunch of under performing countries it may awaken that old " Master race " concept that has twice sent the world into the most destructive wars in history.

At present, Germany is leaning over backwards to preserve the union.   It is German money that is keeping the EU afloat and the British voting public will need to make a choice between suffering the rule of Brussels - or taking the chance that a disintegrating Europe will revert to it's old habits.

It seems to be a matter of being very careful what you wish for !