More than two centuries after the Philadelphia Convention of 1787, the states of the European Union are attempting a similar feat.

The EU has convened for a yearlong convention in Brussels with the goal of laying out a written constitution to bind member states economically, politically, and socially.

A common constitution would provide Europe with "more of a unified voice, in theory," in global politics, said Colin Flint, an England native and geography assistant professor. "The European Union is attempting to create a second global superstate that would rival the United States economically."

This would allow for easier trade, reduce transportation costs and provide for economic growth, Flint explained. Uniform taxation policies and the possibility of economic constraints are among drawbacks to economic integration for some EU members. A common constitution would be too painful to homogenize, he added.

"I believe it will not be successful because of geography and uneven development," Flint said.

In adopting the euro as a common currency, the EU has taken a step towards economic integration but still has a long way to go.

"Both politically and economically, a lot of detail has to be hammered out before any document can be adopted," said Regina Smyth, assistant professor of political science.

The commitment to the EU across Europe varies, Smyth explained.

"Many national parties oppose a stronger EU and there is likely to be division on how far to go," Smyth said. "The salience of many of the issues currently under discussion are issues not likely to be agreed upon anytime soon."

Among the issues being discussed are the establishment of a European army and details of a planned expansion of the EU in 2004.

Representatives from 13 potential inductee states, most from Eastern Europe, will join the 15 member states in the conference.

The extent of expansion is a concern for some members and will be a large factor in constitutional negotiation, Smyth explained. A constitution would grant citizens of newly inducted Eastern European states the freedom to immigrate to Western Europe, she said.

The EU has a formidable task in front of it, Flint said. "The hard question to answer is whether the EU will move toward strong centralized integration or if it will remain a collection of separate national states," Flint said.

The largest obstacle the EU faces may be in preserving the histories of member states. Each state has its own set of unique cultural traditions and most speak different languages.

"When asked, citizens of the United States identify themselves as Americans," Flint said. "Citizens of Europe however, identify themselves as English, French, or German, rather than Europeans."

"This is happening at a time when talks of preserving national identity are on the rise," Smyth said. The possibility of the EU conforming into a global superpower is very preliminary at this point and may not be firm for decades.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.