Nobel Intentions.

UNITED States; EUROPE

EUROPEAN Economic Community; EUROPEAN Union

The article looks at the award of the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize to the European Union (EU). The author expresses the view that the prize is merited. He recounts the history of war and peace in Europe from the 17th century forward and traces the move toward tolerance of other countries' religions and political systems. He says the EU has coincided with a peaceful era in which war has become almost unthinkable. Topics include the coal-and-steel pact and its development into the Common Market, inadequate financial regulation in the EU, and the U.S.'s role in recent European history.