Historically all Federations, Europe, UK, USA come to an end.

Listen to the old carthorse, Tony Blair, neighing and stamping in his stall.  Blair, the 'visionary' who wanted the UK to join the Euro, think of how 50 millions Brits would be feeling now if there currency was in the
'Euro'

The fate of the European Union is the fate of all federations.  Forget the vociferous opinions, just point to the facts, hold up a light to history and examine what has happened to Federal Unions

As Martin Jenkins points out: All federal unions tend sooner or later to wither and die, the Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman and British empires, the Soviet Union and more recently the American hegemony. The UK has looked ever shakier since Ireland left in 1922 and Scotland is getting big ideas.

The spotlight now turns on the ruling cores of Europe and America, crumpling under the weight of credit bubbles, over-mighty lobbyists and degenerated accountability.
As Jenkins points out:
"The 27-member united states of Europe died with the credit crunch"

And so will the entitlement/benefits culture.And one is not arguing that it will a good thing, but resorting once again to facts, if there is no money to pay for the social largess of a benefits culture...then, well, there is no money.