To what extent can the European Union be considered a success politically and economically?

The European Union currently has a contentious record in terms of its economic and politic success. However, the union can be considered a success in that it has achieved something groundbreaking in a part of the world that has historically been ravaged by conflict over the centuries. The union seeks to create democratic peace and economic integration between the countries which it has so far succeeded in doing. The union has also succeeded in removing national borders and barriers to trade increasing the flow of goods and people throughout the continent. There are many other factors that can be considered successes, but recently the union has had troubles in regards to economic growth which have put the union at risk of potential collapse or countries potentially deciding to leave the union.