>(Brits may argue for the pound, but it was imposed.)
A small correction. The euro was not imposed on any country. The UK decided not to adopt it (along with Denmark and Sweden), which they were entitled to do. They may in the future decide to do so, but it can't be imposed.
There is one important difference between adopting a common currency and adopting a common measurement system. The latter does not involve any loss of power from the state. The former will mean you no longer have the power to set interest rates (this will be done by the Central Bank of the common currency). With increasing globalization, this power is largely illusory anyway, and is certainly the case for smaller states. Indeed, small currencies tend to need much higher rates than larger ones, so by adopting a common currency, our industries have benefited from lower interest rates.
Adopting a common measurement system has no ramifications for national sovereignty.
--------------------------------------------------------- Tom Wade | EMail: tee dot wade at eurokom dot ie EuroKom | Tel: +353 (1) 296-9696 A2, Nutgrove Office Park | Fax: +353 (1) 296-9697 Rathfarnham | Disclaimer: This is not a disclaimer Dublin 14 | Tip: "Friends don't let friends do Unix !" Ireland
