The eyes of the world are turned toward Britain, which will decide in today's referendum whether it wants stability and to remain in Europe, or whether it wants a revolution and to leave. The polls are close: on Wednesday, two predicted a victory for the "Leave" camp, so anything could happen. Those who support disengaging from the EU want to see today as Britain's own Independence Day, while those who support staying hope that today will turn out to be a day of reason and sense. Europe, in the mean time, is concerned about the strain of anti-Europeanism on the continent that originated in the UK. Tonight, we'll know whether London wants to consciously uncouple with Brussels or stick with the partnership, even if it's not great. Today's referendum in Britain is unprecedented in the European Union. Until now, the trend was mostly in the opposite direction of expanding the EU. Separation from the EU wasn't even an option unless one belonged to the extreme Right, such as Britain's UKIP party, or the radical Left -- once again, the two extremes meet. This is precisely the reason why British Prime Minister David Cameron, with plenty of pressure from his Conservative Party, wasn't afraid to declare a referendum. Who remembers now that Cameron, who supports staying in the EU and in his current role, called for the referendum as part of negotiations between London and Brussels, with the intention of upgrading Britain's status in the European partnership? Cameron didn't know then that he was playing with fire. Who would ever have thought back then that there was any danger to British companies in the EU? The economy revived and unemployment dropped. True, Brussels wanted to dictate to the British what ingredients would be in the sausages they ate (more beef, less flour and fat), but since when have the British ever been able to argue about what they had on their plates? In the mean time, things have changed. Take, for example, the refugee crisis and the Briton's ensuing fears about foreigners flooding into their territory. Many in the UK had a hard time swallowing the idea that Brussels would decide how many refugees they had to take in. It appears that "sovereignty" is a loaded word for the kingdom and former empire. This might very well be the reason that Britain could see an unprecedented historic event if it decides to leave the EU. This is a very emotional vote. Supporters of "Leave" argue that doing so will give them their country back. As far as they're concerned, it won't be so bad if the pound plummets, if the City takes a hit, if Britain loses its large free trade zone, if Scotland -- which enjoys funds from Brussels -- once again petitions to leave the United Kingdom. Honor is the main thing. British "yes" vote to leave the EU could lead to a dangerous domino effect. Many in France, Germany, and the Netherlands, as well as other countries, are waiting for the news from London so they can pursue a similar step. These are difficult days for the EU. The 2008 economic crisis, to which Brussels (in contrast to Washington) found it difficult to respond, and the aforementioned refugee crisis are only some of the reasons why the Euro-skeptics are gaining momentum on the continent. The process was underway even before the refugee and economic crises. Do you remember the British yea/nay vote on the EU Constitution? Obviously, you don't, because it never took place. Then-Prime Minister Tony Blair, who initiated the vote in 2004, decided to cancel it because he was panicked at the "noes" to the constitution as it existed, which back then were coming from France and the Netherlands. We should hope that Britain stays in the EU, if only because we want what's best for it. The very idea that the world's fifth-largest economy has initiated a referendum like this one is already a harsh blow to stability and the choice to move forward. In life, we move ahead, not back. This referendum gives the people who want to turn back the wheel an option to do so. In 1975, Britain joined the EU. In 2016, it will either cement its place on the continent or return to isolation. Someone has already called Britain is a floating island that knows how to move away or move closer to Europe, depending on its own interests. So why should it leave-
