Considering europe's bloody history the European union can be seen as a success. Since the end of the Second World War we have managed to create a community based on trade and a recognition of certain basic rights and obligations, we have in fact seen an unprecedented level of economic growth which has seen countries such as Spain and Portugal transformed from dictatorships to democracies and seen Eire transformed from an economic backwater into a "Celtic Tiger".
Whilst much of this could have happened anyway I like to believe that the existence of a European community was at least a catalyst in creating an environment in which nation states could see a model of peaceful development through cooperation. The European union is an 'empire' which people want to be part of, full EU membership is seen across most of the continent as way of playing a full role in the modern world economy. On top of this the single currency has been launched and while it is certainly 'too early to tell' if the euro will last, at the moment it seems to be a fully functioning world traded currency.
So economic prosperity, unprecedented peace in Europe a community which is appealing to countries across the continent, the only question remains: why is the European union perceived as such a disaster? Between endless su duko puzzles and celebrity lifestyle features the great British press still has some space for a good deal of rampant europhobia: Wouldn't it be great if the EU had a democratically elected institution, a parliament of Europe elected by Europeans representing Europeans?
Shock horror: there is actually a European parliament!! Several hundred million Europeans vote to send members to the European parliament and then what?
Nothing, zip, zero. Armed with a mandate MEPs disappear into political limbo unloved unnoticed ignored.
This is a parliament that has reduced Ian Paisley, Robert Kilroy-Silk and Glenys Kinnock to silence, there must be something in the air that reduces rent a quote politicos into mute witnesses... it could be the vast expenses, it could even be that the trappists have engineered a coup, but whatever it is a parliament that should be an example of European democracy [squabbles, name calling etc... just like our our dear Westminster] is in fact a euro-skeptics dream. I am fully aware that the European parliament has limited powers, that turnout for elections is pitiful and that those results are generally a reflection of domestic politics BUT IT DOESN'T MATTER.
MEPS should get out there. Surely they got elected to do a job [something along the lines of representing their constituents in Europe] and they should take every opportunity to shout out 'I'm an MEP and and proud to be an MEP!!'
Perhaps the european parliament should launch it's own wrist band to increase recognition, maybe they could try getting their message out into the world via e- mail, text messaging, sponsoring big brother, in fact any way possible.
Er... 'Make CAP history'?
Europe needs a strong visible vibrant parliament that even if it is a toothless tiger can still make a roar. MEPs rise up: you have nothing to lose except your anonymity!
2 comments:
Absolutely nothing to do with this, but can't figure out how to make a, what's the word, contribution? Me and computers.....
2012 - Congrats London, and lets all get behind our boys and girls and prove what a great nation we still are. I hope you'll all join me in wishing them all the best in their bid to go for gold, so that we can prove once and for all that we still produce some of the best estate agents in the world. I'm sure they won't let us down.
El guerro
PS Bad show about the bombs.
I'm tempted to ask the MEPs but... nah, it's just so much more satisfying to blame the Mail (just as, no doubt, for the Mail it would be more satisfying to blame the MEPs even if they'd done nothing worthy of blame).
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