innonimatu
the resident Cassandra
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2006
- Messages
- 15,377
The best time to kick them is whet they're going down. The EU is not yet down, but it's cracking. Time for some more kicks. I'm shamelessly stealing this from Yanis Varoufakis.
Consider these statements:
What kind of politicians, do you think, had such enthusiasm for an "European Community"? How, do you thing, did this rhetoric of an "European Community" serve them?
You've read them? You cam make a guess as to the authors. Or follow the link to see.
Do you believe that contemporary rhetoric is different or similar? What kind of goads does it serve?
Consider these statements:
[1] Above and beyond the concept of the nation-state, the idea of a new community will transform the living space given us all by history into a new spiritual realm The new Europe of solidarity and cooperation among all its peoples, a Europe without unemployment, without monetary crises, will find an assured foundation and rapidly increasing prosperity once national economic barriers are removed.
[2] There must be a readiness to subordinate ones own interests in certain cases to that of the European Community.
[3] The solution to economic problems with the eventual object of a European customs union and a free European market, a European clearing system and stable exchange rates in Europe, looking towards a European currency union.
[4] The results of excessive nationalism and territorial dismemberment are within the experience of all. There is only hope for peace by means of a process which on the one hand respects the inalienable fundamental patrimony of every nation but, on the other, moderates these and subordinates them to a continental policy A European Union could not be subject to the variations of internal policy that are characteristic of liberal regimes.
[5] A new Europe: that is the point, and that is the task before us. It does not mean that Italians and Germans and all other nations of the European family are to change their spots and become unrecognizable to themselves or to one another, from one day or one year to the next. It will be a new Europe because of the new inspiration and determining principle that will spring up among all these peoples. The problem of the hierarchy of states will no longer arise. At least in its usual form, once we have cut off the dragons head; that is, the notion of state sovereignty. Moreover, this does not have to be dne outright, but can be achieved indirectly, e.g. by creating interstate European bodies to look after certain common interests (exchange rates, communications, foreign trade etc .)
[6] [Here I shall quote from a well received, at the time, policy document which recommended the need to] put forward a European con-federal solution based on free cooperation among independent nations [culminating into uniting Europe] on a federal basis [and adding that, to see this federation process through], all that is required of European states is that they be loyal, pro-European members of the community and cooperate willingly in its tasks The object of European cooperation being to promote peace, security and welfare for all its peoples.
[7] We must create a Europe that does not squander its blood and strength on internecine conflict, but forms a compact unity. In this way it will become richer, stronger and more civilized, and will recover its old place in the world. National tensions and petty jealousies will lose their meaning in a Europe freely organised on a federal basis. World political development consists inevitably in the formation of larger political and economic spheres.
[8] It is not very intelligent to imagine that in such a crowded house like that of Europe, a community of peoples can maintain different legal systems and different concepts of law for long.
[9] In my view a nations conception of its own freedom must be harmonised with present-day facts and simple questions of efficiency and purpose Our only requirement of European states is that they be sincere and enthusiastic members of Europe.
[10] The people of Europe understand increasingly that the great issues dividing us, when compared with those which will emerge and will be resolved between continents, are nothing but trivial family feuds. In fifty years Europeans will not be thinking in terms of separate countries.
What kind of politicians, do you think, had such enthusiasm for an "European Community"? How, do you thing, did this rhetoric of an "European Community" serve them?
You've read them? You cam make a guess as to the authors. Or follow the link to see.
Do you believe that contemporary rhetoric is different or similar? What kind of goads does it serve?