"The European Union was the surprise winner of the Nobel Peace Prize this [past]
week. Yet, as I pondered this choice, I chided myself for not having
thought of it before. The Long Peace of Europe since the Second World
War is so much a part of our taken-for-granted world that we have
already forgotten what an achievement that peace is. The massive decline in violence in the world in the past two generations
is due primarily to the strong system of inter-connected and
law-abiding states. And the core of the system of peaceful states is a
stable Europe and a stable North America. Good job, Nobel committee. The prize is long overdue. I hope it helps the EU overcome its current financial difficulties." — William Weston, sociology professor and moderate Democratic blogger, on Friday's announcement
