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A Retreat from Great Europe? - Part I
Shada Islam, YaleGlobal, 31 May 2005
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The highly anticipated French referendum on the EU constitution arrived this weekend: The vote was a resounding "Non." Voters signaled their distaste for the proposed constitution, as well as their opposition to the economic consequences of integrating new members. And as the Netherlands prepares for a similar vote, observers, both European and worldwide, now wonder what lies ahead for the European Union. YaleGlobal examines the fallout of the referendum in a two-part series. In part one, Shada Islam writes that the vote may not signal the immediate demise of the EU – but it does present some serious obstacles to come. Proposed economic reforms and plans for expansion will certainly suffer, and many worry that the outcome will affect other member states. "If they are to prevent other EU states from lining up behind France," concludes Islam, "EU leaders will have to focus on listening and responding to public fears about living in a changing Europe in a rapidly transforming world." YaleGlobal
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A Retreat from Great Europe? - Part II
John Brenkman,YaleGlobal, 2 June 2005
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The highly anticipated French referendum on the EU constitution arrived this weekend: The vote was a resounding "Non." And with the Netherlands casting an even more strident "Nee" vote, observers, both European and worldwide, now wonder what lies ahead for the European Union. YaleGlobal examines the fallout of the referendum in a two-part series. In part two, John Brenkman reconsiders French and Dutch disinterest in the EU constitution, locating their dissatisfaction not in economic or political excuses, but in a more fundamental problem: "Europe does not inspire even its own creators." One can hardly blame them, writes Brenkman; the usual image of the EU – the one presented by French politicians – is of a remote body interested in administrative drudgery. Yet as he compares Europe and the United States, Brenkman finds the global role of the EU to be a new kind of empire that spreads democracy through peaceful coercion. However, the European leaders must find their own motivating myth to inspire their citizens to embrace a grander mission. YaleGlobal
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2 comments:
The one big question of course is 'Just whose Europe are we talking about'?
The old European Ideal, proffered by the likes of Valerie Giscard D'Estang is of a centralist, federalist nature. The People of Europe aren't interested in this and I think the only way to (re)assure the populus of the Rome Treaty is to get rid of old cronies such as him.
There is a tired distrust of the creators of Europe. It is the Europe of vested/private interests, which are not the interests of the people, but of the power hungry.
If the EU is so wonderful for the people then why do the politicians have to lie so much about it. I'm thinking here of the Dutch Government hiding the fact the Guilder was undervalued when it went into the eurozone and they knew it would cause all kinds of inflationary pressures. When Britain entered the EU, Ted Heath, the then Prime Minister, hid the facts of the negotiations and how it would sell the UK fishing industry down the river.
People have memories, long memories! For Europe to have a chance it has to drop its Grand Design strategy of Social & Economic Engineering folly and being a United States of Europe to counter the dominance of the only true(!) United States and concentrate on trade agreements between the nations of Europe and the outside world.
The embarrassment continues of course with the quality of leadership, be it Chirac, Schroeder or Barrasso, (even Blair!). The euro is a disaster manufactured by the Euroelite and no one wants to take responsibility for it. However, the smoking gun has been found in the hands of the Franco-German plan for Europe and the arrogance of those involved renders them impotent to do anything about it!
The Constitutional Referendum round has been the people's verdict on the power-elite of Europe. They have been held in the balance and been found wanting!
I would say that European leaders should make more effort to sell the idea of Europe in a more effective way to the general people, otherwise, the current elitist structure in the Union would create more reactions among European people like the one shown in the recent referendums in France and Netherlands...beyond that...European leaders should revise their priorities whether more social justice policies or more neo-liberal competitive economic policies should have priority...the current trend in favor of the neo-liberal policies would not be much welcomed by European peoples....
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