The European Union While the European continent has remained stable since the Second World War, it has failed to see a huge amount of continent-wide growth since then. However, the world has seen European nations increase their influence in the world economy. This trend will continue for the next decade into the next millenium and increase the quality of life for the majority of European nations. The formation of the European Union (EU) has proved to be one of several factors that will increase the strength of Europe. The economic alliance recently showed its influence on the American economy by hinting at a threat to impose taxes on the recent ac