Elon Musk:

The EU should be abolished and sovereignty returned to individual countries, so that governments can better represent their people

Q:

If abolishing supranational authority is “freedom,” then surely the U.S. should also dissolve itself, return sovereignty to each state, let Texans speak for Texas, Californians for California, and stop Washington from governing 330 million people like a single empire.

You want the EU broken for “democracy,”yet a continental federation under one capital sounds perfectly natural when the capital is yours.

Freedom isn’t decentralization only when applied to others.
If fragmentation is virtue, lead by example, disband America first.

Overview

The European Union (EU) and the United States (US) both exhibit elements of federalism, where power is divided between a central authority and subnational entities (member states in the EU, states in the US). However, the US operates as a full federal republic under a single constitution, while the EU functions as a supranational union based on treaties, blending federal, confederal, and intergovernmental features. This makes the EU an “emerging federal system” rather than a traditional federation like the US. 12 Both systems aim to balance unity with diversity, promoting shared values and economic integration, but differ significantly in sovereignty, institutional design, and power allocation. 11

Similarities

• Multi-Level Governance: Both divide authority between central institutions and subnational units, with checks and balances through separation of powers. They share responsibilities in areas like energy, environment, fiscal policy, health, social/employment policy, and taxation, often requiring cooperation between levels. 10 For instance, both emphasize making decisions that affect their populations while focusing on world trade and pooling some sovereign powers for unity. 11
• Institutions and Representation: Legislative bodies include a directly elected parliament (European Parliament in the EU, House of Representatives in the US) with population-based representation, alongside a council or senate representing states (Council of the European Union similar to the US Senate). 10 Both have judicial oversight (Court of Justice of the EU vs. US Supreme Court) and executive functions handling policy implementation.
• Supremacy and Decision-Making: Central laws can supersede subnational ones in designated areas, with majority decision-making binding on members. Minority views are represented in institutions, and both systems rely on adjudication for disputes. 12
• Policy Focus: Central authorities manage monetary policy (European Central Bank vs. Federal Reserve), trade, agriculture, and environmental issues, while promoting freedom of movement (Schengen Zone in the EU, interstate in the US). 10 11

Differences in Structure

• Foundational Basis: The US is a federal republic governed by a single Constitution, creating a unified nation-state with one capital (Washington, D.C.). In contrast, the EU is based on a series of treaties among sovereign countries, with multiple headquarters (e.g., Brussels, Strasbourg, Frankfurt, Luxembourg), reflecting its intergovernmental origins. 11
• Type of Federalism: The US follows a “dual federalism” model with clearer vertical separation of powers, where federal and state levels have autonomous spheres (e.g., states handle education and health independently, but federal supremacy applies in conflicts). The EU embodies “cooperative federalism,” similar to Germany’s system, with functional division of labor, concurrent competences, and strong member state involvement in central decision-making through joint processes. 12 EU institutions like the European Commission propose laws, but approval often requires consensus or qualified majority in the Council, emphasizing shared sovereignty over strict hierarchy.
• Representation and Elections: In the US, the Senate provides equal state representation based on citizen interests, with weaker direct state executive input at the federal level. The EU’s Council gives stronger representation to national governments, and while the European Parliament is directly elected, many appointments come from national levels, making it less “federal” in the US sense. 12 11
• Fiscal and Amendment Powers: The US has fiscal autonomy for states via independent taxation without heavy central intervention. The EU lacks full fiscal federalism, with member states controlling taxation and budgets more independently, and treaty amendments requiring unanimous consent from all members—unlike the US’s amendment process via Congress and states. 12

Differences in Powers and Sovereignty

• Central Powers: The US federal government has exclusive control over defense, security, and foreign policy, with a unified military. The EU delegates trade, monetary policy (for Eurozone countries), and parts of environmental/energy policy to the center, but member states retain authority over defense, foreign policy, education, health, culture, and taxation—areas where US states have less autonomy. 10 11
• Subnational Autonomy: EU member states, as sovereign nations, have greater independence (e.g., individual currencies outside the Eurozone, opt-outs from Schengen), leading to “variable geometry” where not all participate equally. US states are more integrated, sharing a single currency and uniform federal oversight, though they handle shared areas like education and health with federal cooperation. 10 11
• Sovereignty Dynamics: In the US, sovereignty is divided but unified under a shared national identity, reducing fragmentation risks. The EU’s pooled sovereignty is voluntary and reversible (e.g., Brexit), with challenges from national identities and subsidiarity principle (devolving power to the lowest level). This makes EU integration more complex and less coercive than US federalism. 10 12
• Regulatory Approach: Both rely on federal structures for policy, but the EU’s cooperative model involves more intergovernmental negotiation, while the US emphasizes institutional autonomy and sectoral allocation. 12 For example, in areas like winemaking regulation, the EU’s system allows for more member state input in rule-making compared to the US’s federal agencies. 4

Overall, while the US represents a mature, integrated federalism, the EU’s structure is more flexible and evolving, prioritizing consensus among sovereign equals over centralized authority. This reflects their origins: the US as a nation built from colonies, the EU as a post-war economic and political alliance. 10 11