I'd have to look up the author, but there is a book currently out called, "The United States of Europe", which examines the EU and its relationship with the U.S. It also makes the case that the EU will be the super power of the 21st century. I heard the author on Fresh Air and he made a strong case. The EU has more votes in the UN than we do and are a larger market. The borders have been dropped and they have a common currency. They have even scuttled several big business plans the US had and even major Republicans in Congress have acknowledged we have to take the view of the EU seriously.