The Staggers

The New Statesman’s rolling politics blog

RSS

Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the EU

Not quite as weird as it seems. But still pretty weird.

By Alex Hern Published 12 October 2012 10:12

The EU flag. Photograph: Getty Images

The 2012 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to the European Union.

The decision is not as bizarre as one might think. There is a precedent for organisations winning the prize – the international atomic energy association won in 2005, for instance – and the EU, although it is largely forgotten now, was formed with the aim of making war in Europe not just unthinkable, but materially impossible.

Its aims have certainly been achieved. The continent has gone from one which was torn apart by war twice in half a century, having undergone few years of peace in its entire history, to one which has earned an unprecedented lack of violent struggle – internally, at least.

Nonetheless, for all that the award may be appropriate in the big picture, the question as to why it was awarded now is more unclear. The past couple of years have not been the best in the EU's history, certainly, and the eurocrisis has made a break-up of the union possible for almost the first time since it was founded. Adding to the strangeness is the fact that the Peace Prize is the only one awarded by Norway, rather than Sweden – and Norway isn't even a member of the EU.

Special Offer: Get 12 issues of New Statesman magazine for just £12

More from Alex Hern

View the discussion thread.

9 comments

Sat, 2012-10-13 09:38 — Stuart Eels (not verified)

The fear of the Americans going home and leaving Europe to face the USSR on theit own kept the peace for decades, when the USSR crumbled to pieces, what happened? the Balken Wars.

It was NATO that kept the peace and now the facists are raising in not just Greece but Germany, France, Poland and Spain.

What are our Government doing about it? letting their buddies try to flog off the one defence manufacturer we still have to anyone who will bung them a few million and cutting our fighting forces to the lowest level since the final victory over Napolean two hundrerd years ago! heaven help us!

Sat, 2012-10-13 03:52 — WilliamJ

Well at least everyone participated fairly

Anthony (Little Englander and Proud)'s picture

Fri, 2012-10-12 17:46 — Anthony (Little Englander and Proud) (not verified)

Nato has secured peace in Europe nothing to do with E.U, an E.U that rewrites history much like the old USSR did, calling WW1 and WW2 civil wars . The nobel prize has scuppered what little creditbilty it had since awarding it to Obama, it's now on par with the Eurovision song contest. Even the worlds press whom must have seen and heard it all before, gasped in shock. The project is at record lows of around 30% poplarity in Europe, then BANG this little chestnut - How very convenient .

Fri, 2012-10-12 11:35 — Joel Durkin (not verified)

If you look at it from a purely peace/ war point of view over the last half decade, yes the EU has done well, but now is probably the worst time possible for the prize to be awarded to the organisation.

Maybe that's the aim though- to give Europhiles some positivity for a change.

Fri, 2012-10-12 11:35 — Joel Durkin (not verified)

Maybe that's the aim though- to give Europhiles some positivity for a change.

Fri, 2012-10-12 10:55 — Meg Taylor (not verified)

I think that it is a pre-emptive move because of the danger of fascism - look at what is happening in Greece.

Fri, 2012-10-12 10:50 — Herbert (not verified)

Perhaps they should treat it like the lottery and do a weekly draw. Do they want to make it look as absurd as possible?

Fri, 2012-10-12 10:48 — willoyen

expect the next award to go to the United States. After all, it has already gone to peacemakers Kissinger, and presidents FDR, Carter, and Obama.
This latest award will excite the europhobes. It seems a little abstract. Perhaps one day it will go to the Nobel Peace Prize Committee.