Daniel Hannan: The Wealthiest People on the Planet All Live in Microstates

Daniel Hannan MEP: “Where did we get the idea that big is beautiful? The European Union's foundational doctrine is that the world is conglomerating into these huge blocks and we need to be part of one if we are to be wealthy or successful. But it just doesn't match the evidence. If they were true, then China would be wealthier than Hong Kong, and Indonesia would be wealthier than Brunei, and European Union for that matter would be more successful than Switzerland.” European Parliament, Strasbourg, (3/6/2014). Source: DanHannanMEP YouTube channel.

Transcript:

Thank you Mr Deputy Speaker. Where did we get the idea that big is beautiful? The European Union's foundational doctrine is that the world is conglomerating into these huge blocks and we need to be part of one if we are to be wealthy or successful. But it just doesn't match the evidence. If they were true, then China would be wealthier than Hong Kong, and Indonesia would be wealthier than Brunei, and European Union for that matter would be more successful than Switzerland.

In fact, the wealthiest people on the planet all live in microstates. In United Arab Emirates, in Jersey, in Monaco, and so on. This report is a brave attempt to try and shift power downwards. To take decisions more closely to the people they affect, and therefore to avoid the duplication and waste and the bureaucracy that is intrinsic in large government, and that it's the single chief reason why the European Union is falling further and further behind. Why is it only continent on Earth not experiencing any growth? The ancient wisdom of Aristotle holds true: “to the size of a state there is a limit, as there is to plants, animals, and instruments, for none of these retain their natural power when they are too large.”

Translated by: Jadranko Brkic