segunda-feira, 29 de novembro de 2010
TEc - "Europe and America" Why the EU needs to stand tall on its own, or...
Since long the European Union has been punching below its real weight - well below its potential weight.This owes much to the failure of EU leaders to sell to their own peoples and the larger world the European ideal as envisioned by the founding fathers and successive generations of statesman-like politicians. Most of them deepened the economic and political project best exemplified in the Treaty that changed designation from EEC-European Economic Community to EU-European Union.Later by the creation of the now troubled single currency and the EU's two latest arguably overambitious speedy enlargement rounds from 15 to 25(2004) to 27(2007) member-States.
With the Western world (mainly the US and Europe) severely knocked-down by the 2008 American triggered sub-prime crisis that led to the overwhelming financial meltdown, both the EU and the US remain far too busy finding their own bearings to afford entertaining each other meaningfully.
Indeed viewing it all in one big picture that combines many sub-images neatly conveys a critical juncture enveloping Europe and America.
Their taken-for-granted relationship is not threatened on fundamentals least of all is it beleaguered in any way. But unless the two sides of the Atlantic resume sustained economic growth - especially an even spread across the EU's 27 members - already visible imbalances of sorts will increase.
I believe it falls mostly on the EU to demonstrate where it wants to be over the next 10 years.
Should it succeed pulling itself together and moving forward as one - despite every welcome difference setting member-countries apart - and America will listen and value the EU for its real worth.
If not the call from Pacific rim nations and beyond will strengthen further leaving Europe out to a sentimental line and NATO. Effectively pushing the EU into secondary player status.
This might come about through practical evidence rather than any intentional policy shift.
Conversely, the EU which remains a formidable economic and trading bloc, still could secure its rightful place as seen from Washington.
It will, however, take far more purposeful leadership and renewed commitment to the European political project to achieve this.
In a nutshell a vision from Brussels extending well over and above today's shadowy lows that have so profoundly sagged Europe's ambition is utterly needed.
With the Western world (mainly the US and Europe) severely knocked-down by the 2008 American triggered sub-prime crisis that led to the overwhelming financial meltdown, both the EU and the US remain far too busy finding their own bearings to afford entertaining each other meaningfully.
Indeed viewing it all in one big picture that combines many sub-images neatly conveys a critical juncture enveloping Europe and America.
Their taken-for-granted relationship is not threatened on fundamentals least of all is it beleaguered in any way. But unless the two sides of the Atlantic resume sustained economic growth - especially an even spread across the EU's 27 members - already visible imbalances of sorts will increase.
I believe it falls mostly on the EU to demonstrate where it wants to be over the next 10 years.
Should it succeed pulling itself together and moving forward as one - despite every welcome difference setting member-countries apart - and America will listen and value the EU for its real worth.
If not the call from Pacific rim nations and beyond will strengthen further leaving Europe out to a sentimental line and NATO. Effectively pushing the EU into secondary player status.
This might come about through practical evidence rather than any intentional policy shift.
Conversely, the EU which remains a formidable economic and trading bloc, still could secure its rightful place as seen from Washington.
It will, however, take far more purposeful leadership and renewed commitment to the European political project to achieve this.
In a nutshell a vision from Brussels extending well over and above today's shadowy lows that have so profoundly sagged Europe's ambition is utterly needed.
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