I though giving the Nobel Peace Prize to Obama in 2009 was ridiculous, but giving it to the European Union as they did this year is even more laughable.

Personally I don't think that the EU has contributed much if anything to peace in Europe or elsewhere. Major European powers haven't gone to war since WWII because they turned their back on Imperialism, which drove pretty much all of the wars in Europe before the big one, not because the EU prevented wars which would otherwise have happened. But even if they did make a big contribution - why give them the prize now?

An article in World News Curator argues that the Nobel Prize judges aren't even trying to recognise contributions made in the past any more - but instead are trying to encourage people (or now organisations) which they think may be able to make a contribution in the future. The EU is in serious problems problems with the debt crisis, and in places like Greece riots in the street's and the rise of extremist politics on both the far left and so-called far right, as well as tensions between the countries who owe money and those who have lent them money, are threatening stability and raising the spectre of the EU collapsing (or at least the Euro currency). The Nobel Prize judges are therefore trying to encourage the EU to ensure peace and stability in Europe rather than recognising any real contribution which has already been made - just as they did with Obama in 2009 when he had only just become President and hadn't actually done anything yet.

So what do you think - does the European Union deserve to get the Peace Prize? Will the prize encourage or empower the EU to take firmer action to ensure peace and stability in Europe in the future? Please vote in the poll and leave a comment!