As a result of these tensions, nationalism is again on the rise in Europe. It's not a pretty sight, but it's understandable. When push comes to shove, these dissenting countries resent being subjected to rules imposed from outside. All this suggests that the old-fashioned nation-state, forged by its own history, culture, language and sense of identity, is not easily erased. This is not what the visionaries who founded the EU were hoping for, but it's hardly the first time grand, idealistic projects have had unintended outcomes.