SimonG: I think that this is perfect. Honestly. Take a look at Europe through history. When was a time when we weren't at each others throat? The EU changed that. It connected Europe politically, economically and culturally. Now France and Germany are in each others arms, and no longer at each others throat. If the only thing the EU ever did was to stop that repeating circle of killing that Europe was under since the dawn of men, it was worth every single penny.
Bullshit. Absence of preconditions before its existence does not mean they had an active hand in making that so. How many times has there been a reason for someone to go invade another country, and the EU stepped in to moderate the dispute? I'll hold my breath waiting for an answer to that one...
How many times did they try to stop the wars in Yugoslavia/Bosnia/Serbia/Montenegro before the US and NATO stepped in to do it right?
How peaceful are Greece and Spain these days?
Who were the runners-up, Pol Pot, Stalin, Chairman Mao, Marshal Tito and Hitler?
Oh look! There's not been a meteor strike in Europe for a couple of decades, let's give the EU an Öpik Prize as well, for stopping those!!!
*facepalm*
This award is utterly farcical, and a complete abrogation of the nature of the prize. It demeans itself by even considering the EU as a valid candidate, let alone actually awarding it....
You really want to stop wars? For all time? Get rid of politicians. End of. People don't start wars. Governments do. People only die in them...while governments sit above it all, cackling with glee and rubbing their hands together at the thought of what they can steal...