Was Monnet's approach idealistic?
Some might have seen it as idealistic, but my aim was always profoundly pragmatic. I didn't believe in grand pronouncements or imposed unity. Instead, I focused on identifying shared, material interests—coal, steel, energy, transport. By creating institutions that managed these common interests effectively, we could build a solid foundation for peace. The 'ideal' was a consequence of this practical endeavor, a Europe where nations were so intertwined economically that conflict became counterproductive and ultimately unthinkable. It was about forging peace through shared necessity.
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