04 May 04
The European Union has just undergone its biggest ever expansion, reaching 25 countries with a combined population of over 450 million. What do you think the EU's long-term prospects are? I come from probably the most Eurosceptic country in the EU, so I'd like to hear some opinions from other countries.
04 May 04
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By a small coincidence I have just launched a new site.
http://www.serioustopics.com
The history to this is that the Finanical Times have recently moved all their forums to a new format where only selected posts are published.
I was a frequent reader of the Financial Times forums, so, in response, I created this new site (well, to be honest, Russ, 'created' the site, I just told him what I wanted - 🙂)
And the second question to be posted for discussion was...
"The EU has just enlarged, and faces many issues. Please use this forum to discuss any factors directly related to the EU's health, sense of identity, economics and politics and how that inter-relates with themsleves and the World."
04 May 04
Originally posted by AcolyteIt seems that our island hasn't capsized under the weight of a billion immigrants from the new countries all arriving at Dover at once....
The European Union has just undergone its biggest ever expansion, reaching 25 countries with a combined population of over 450 million. What do you think the EU's long-term prospects are? I come from probably the most Eurosceptic country in the EU, so I'd like to hear some opinions from other countries.
Surely the tabloids haven't got it wrong.
In Scotland, we're generally not as Euro Sceptic - Brussels isn't much further away than London.
04 May 04
Originally posted by RedmikeLOL. As a student I know plenty of Londoners; I don't know if they're even aware of the existence of the rest of the UK. 😉
It seems that our island hasn't capsized under the weight of a billion immigrants from the new countries all arriving at Dover at once....
Surely the tabloids haven't got it wrong.
In Scotland, we're generally not as Euro Sceptic - Brussels isn't much further away than London.
05 May 04
Originally posted by AcolyteThe protectionism of farm products has just expanded. Not good news for the third world.
The European Union has just undergone its biggest ever expansion, reaching 25 countries with a combined population of over 450 million. What do you think the EU's long-term prospects are? I come from probably the most Eurosceptic country in the EU, so I'd like to hear some opinions from other countries.
05 May 04
Originally posted by AcolyteI can't wait for all the Polish restaurants, Estonian brothels and Slovakian beer gardens to open in Rotterdam.
The European Union has just undergone its biggest ever expansion, reaching 25 countries with a combined population of over 450 million. What do you think the EU's long-term prospects are? I come from probably the most Eurosceptic country in the EU, so I'd like to hear some opinions from other countries.
05 May 04
Originally posted by AcolyteWell I'm from the UK but nevertheless:
The European Union has just undergone its biggest ever expansion, reaching 25 countries with a combined population of over 450 million. What do you think the EU's long-term prospects are? I come from probably the most Eurosceptic country in the EU, so I'd like to hear some opinions from other countries.
With more and more member with equal voting power, will anything ever be agreed upon? Surely each nation will have its own best interests at heart which may not coincide with that of another nation.
09 May 04
Interesting post,
I think that EU member citizens determing the future. Governments, less so.
You now "outweigh" americans by half again. Can you do anything with that?
That is the question. Is it not?
You can. But you won't.
Socialism is described (by me, and me alone) as that state of government which exists when 50% of the population takes more from said government that it gives.
You are over the border. Think about the consequences. In spite of the heroic efforts of Thatcher... you are doomed. If you continue into the duldrums. No sail. No wind. Only complaints and empty promise.
So... "You can". If "you will" take back your civilizations from socialism.
Or learn to cheat socialism.
It can be done. With a lot of effort. Americans cheat socialism at will. How do they do that?
09 May 04
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Originally posted by AcolyteFor me is the development of the EU one of the most fascinating political endeavors in recent times. For a while I was afraid it would become an economic pact of the richest countries of Western Europe, but it has passed that stadium.
The European Union has just undergone its biggest ever expansion, reaching 25 countries with a combined population of over 450 million. What do you think the EU's long-term prospects are? I come from probably the most Eurosceptic country ...[text shortened]... n the EU, so I'd like to hear some opinions from other countries.
It is exciting to see how fast Eastern and Western Europe integrate. Let us hope it will not stop there and that countries like Turkey, Marocco, Ukrain, Russia will follow.
Fjord
09 May 04
Originally posted by fjordI agree. If you guys can come of age... we can retire. Pure and simple. That is our greatest desire. Believe it or not.
For me is the development of the EU one of the most fascinating political endeavors in recent times. For a while I was afraid it would become an economic pact of the richest countries of Western Europe, but it has passed that stadium.
It is exciting to see how fast Eastern and Western Europe integrate. Let us hope it will not stop there and that countries like Turkey, Marocco, Ukrain, Russia will follow.
Fjord
09 May 04
Originally posted by RedmikeYeah, I'm in Ireland, and similarly, we're still afloat! I thought that the entire island was going to have the population density of Calcutta due to freeloaders by the million coming into the country to claim welfare benefits!
It seems that our island hasn't capsized under the weight of a billion immigrants from the new countries all arriving at Dover at once....
Surely the tabloids haven't got it wrong.
In Scotland, we're generally not as Euro Sceptic - Brussels isn't much further away than London.
I think the EU is fantastic. It was a fantastic opportunity for Ireland to join and it's great to see some structural funds going east too...
Contradictory of me as it may be, I do share steerpike's concerns for unfair trade with the developing world. I am hopeful that the Fair Trade movement will strengthen.
09 May 04
Originally posted by StarValleyWyHey, you know the EU really isn't that bad a place to live. We've climbed out of our cardboard boxes, thrown away our flat caps; most of us even have jobs. And generally we rather like our long holidays, relatively short hours and proper social provision.
Interesting post,
I think that EU member citizens determing the future. Governments, less so.
You now "outweigh" americans by half again. Can you do anything with that?
That is the question. Is it not?
You can. But you won't.
Socialism is described (by me, and me alone) as that state of government which exists when 50% of the populatio ...[text shortened]... t can be done. With a lot of effort. Americans cheat socialism at will. How do they do that?
I don't mean by this that Europe is some kind of socialist utopia. For starters, there's only a handful of EU governments which are even remotely socialist and I certainly wouldn't include Britain's Labour party among them. But by and large Europe has struck the balance pretty successfully between capitalist vitality and social(ist) responsibility.
Where I agree with you, is in the EU's potential to rival the US as a superpower... and the likelihood that this potential will remain unfullfilled. It's never great to have a single source of power and I think it would be to the good of everyone, including Americans, if the EU could act as a counterpoint. Sadly, I don't think that will happen, not because of the destructive effects of socialism, but because Europeans are just too good at disagreeing with each other.
Rich.
09 May 04
Originally posted by richhoeyMy utopian self wants to say that eu will overtake and replace the us on the stage of responsibility.
Hey, you know the EU really isn't that bad a place to live. We've climbed out of our cardboard boxes, thrown away our flat caps; most of us even have jobs. And generally we rather like our long holidays, relatively short hours and proper social provision.
I don't mean by this that Europe is some kind of socialist utopia. For starters, there's only a ...[text shortened]... socialism, but because Europeans are just too good at disagreeing with each other.
Rich.
I hope so.
My fear is that the vitality of growth is gone from europe. There has not been a sense of the 'individual' there for a few hundred years. Only that sense can make you great. "Great" people always drag the ordinary along for the ride.
Does europe have the ability to allow the individual to succeed? I think not. Too used to the notion of being "provided for".
We'll see. I hope I'm wrong. If I could goad you guys into competition, I would. Alas. I am but a silly old man yelling taunts from a distance.
10 May 04
Originally posted by richhoeyHi Rich,
Hey, you know the EU really isn't that bad a place to live. We've climbed out of our cardboard boxes, thrown away our flat caps; most of us even have jobs. And generally we rather like our long holidays, relatively short hours and proper social provision.
I don't mean by this that Europe is some kind of socialist utopia. For starters, there's only a ...[text shortened]... socialism, but because Europeans are just too good at disagreeing with each other.
Rich.
I think you are a bit too pessimistic. That might have to do with the fact that you live in England where you still cannot feel the changes that are happening on the continent. You should hurry a bit 😉
But when you are travelling to the continent you pay now everywhere with the same coins. It really does change the climate. I think these coins are a perfect reflection of what we want with Europe. From a distance they look all alike, but when you look better you see that every country has still his own symbols. Nevertheless they have everywhere the same value.. United power in diversity; I think we are on the right track.
Fjord