Open letter to Mario Draghi:
I am writing as a European who has followed your vision for our future with great interest. Your diagnosis is: Europe is falling behind and to fix this we must merge our companies into "European giants" unify the market and turn the EU into a 3rd global power capable of rivalling US and China
Economically your plan makes sense. But Mario history isnt just written by bankers, it is also written by generals. Your plan was tried before by a fellow Italian, Count Cavour, and give us a hint of what we can expect
Cavour was the architect of Italian unification in the XIX century. He understood that in a world changed by the Industrial Revolution small Italian states were irrelevant compared to powers like England or France. He pushed for Italy’s unification so it could become a geopolitical giant, sit at the big table and set its own rules. Germany followed the same path under Bismarck. On paper it looked like logical progress
But here is the trap. When Italy and Germany became powerful blocks they shattered the global balance. The dominant powers of the time were not going to give up their piece of the pie willingly. So this ambition led to fierce competition, an unprecedented arms race and a web of alliances that eventually exploded into WWI. The attempt to become sovereign giants led Europe to collective suicide
You tell us Europe must be a "3rd pillar." That sounds good but let’s be honest: a real 3rd power doesn't emerge by asking for permission. If Europe unifies its defense and starts competing for global resources and influence, it will directly challenge US hegemony
We must not kid ourselves: the US is our ally today because we are their customers and we are under their protection. But the moment Europe decides to be a true geopolitical rival it will stop being a pampered ally and start being a rival to be defeated. Are you suggesting we prepare for a direct confrontation with the US? Cause that is the inevitable result when a new power tries to push a dominant leader out of its sphere of influence
After 2 world wars caused by the need to be sovereign powers Italy and Germany ended up destroyed and occupied. Cavours dream of an imperial Italy ended in ashes. Mario your plan for accelerated integration to create a strong block pushes us down that same path. Creating a European giant is not just about taxes or business mergers, it is an invitation to war. Blocks of that magnitude do not live in perpetual peace, they clash until one breaks the other
My question for you and for Europe is: Are we willing to pay the price in blood for Europe to be a "superpower"?
Your economic plan is correct but it doesn't mean it is right. History warns us that when economists play at building empires, it is the ordinary citizens who end up in the trenches. We cannot design Europe’s future through economics alone, we need a multidisciplinary approach and a much broader debate about our alternatives
Sincerely,
A European Citizen
