European integration emboldens Europe's separatists

Even as voters in many European countries register growing dissatisfaction with the EU, membership offers smaller nationalities the hope of separation with a minimum of disruption.

Today, "separatism has a spring in its step," says Charles Grant, director of the London-based Centre for European Reform.

...Thus, it isn't only the larger states of Europe that look on with trepidation at the prospect of more small nations.

"The Scots and the Catalans don't realize how much big countries—in Europe but also including the U.S.—don't want to see a continent of Switzerlands, prosperous at home but not caring about their global responsibilities," says Mr. Grant.