As the eurozone (EZ) lurches from one crisis to the next, the whole structure seems increasingly imperilled by its lack of political cohesion, writes George Irvin.
‘Eurozone on the brink’ screams the latest headline; and indeed, as the eurozone (EZ) lurches from one crisis to the next, the whole structure seems increasingly imperilled by its lack of political cohesion, writes George Irvin
British Tories may wring their hands in glee, but the demise of the euro cannot but lead to the unravelling of the whole integration project, with disastrous consequences for a unified approach to jobs, growth and the environment.
Let the same British Eurosceptics reflect on two simple facts: first, there is little respect in Europe for the imperious and arrogant British – the image of Nigel Farage’s antics in the European Parliament are not easily effaced.
Secondly, as much as Britain may criticise the euro’s construction, our own economy is not exactly thriving. Not only is Britain stagnating, but its social infrastructure is crumbling while its wealth and income inequalities grow.
But back to Europe, which uniquely for Brits means ‘Continental’ Europe. The single most worrisome manifestation of the EZ’s predicament is the near-total marginalisation of the European Commission and European Parliament in the context of the crisis. Instead, it is the national politicians – Angela Merkel, Nicolas Sakozy et al. – who have made all the running.
What could be more indicative of a ‘democratic deficit’ than the fact Europe’s elected MEPs have become invisible.
There is a paradox here. Europe cannot go back to what it was before the crisis, nor can it tread water – but neither can a large EZ economy run by squabbling small-minded politicians from 17 countries thrive. Even George Osborne admits full fiscal integration is the way forward; ‘un gouvernement économique européen’ to use the jargon.
Such a form of governance would need far more powerful political institutions including quite possibly a directly elected President. Equally, the legitimacy of a far more centralised EZ would depend on its delivering – nay, on being seen to deliver – secure jobs, higher incomes and common social services.
Take pensions: although a strengthened EZ cannot take over the entire pension system given current productivity differentials, it could deliver a basic citizen’s pension, a payment which would guarantee a subsistence minimum for all its retired citizens financed by a Robin Hood tax.
The principle is clear: if the EZ is to prosper politically, it must deliver tangible benefits. The young French and Dutch voters who voted against the European Constitution in 2005 were not generally anti-European; they merely wanted a more social Europe.
Whatever the free-market fundamentalists may say, greater social cohesion/social justice lies at the very heart of the European project. To deliver a genuinely social Europe, a new social contract is needed. Democratic governance is not about national politicians fighting for their narrow interests by drawing red lines – still less about 17 national parliaments agreeing to each line of some new regulation – it is about a genuinely European political debate over our common interests.
Only when this lesson becomes clear to all can we overcome the sort of gridlock we see today.
See also:
• Farage should check his own funds before accusing others of being in it for the money – Alex Hern, October 24th 2011
• While the Tories squabble over EU membership what’s the future for the euro? – Ben Fox, October 21st 2011
• Judgement day approaches for the eurozone – Ben Fox, September 28th 2011
• The euro lurches towards the abyss – but does the Left have a Plan B? – Ann Pettifor, September 14th 2011
• Progressive politics and the purple peril: The rise of UKIP – Robert Ford and Matthew Goodwin, April 17th 2011
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25 Responses to “Eurozone break up will be a disaster for jobs, growth and the environment”
Andrew Campbell
“neither can a large EZ economy run by squabbling small-minded politicians from 17 countries thrive”
Nor will it thrive when run by squabbling small-minded politicians from the EU parliament, but they’ll be even less chance of the people of Europe booting them out.
“if the EZ is to prosper politically, it must deliver tangible benefits”
Your example being to tax more and give that money to some of the population, minus the bureaucrats’ cut of course.
What you’re basically asking for is one monopolistic government covering all of the EU. Monopolies don’t provide good value in the private sector, what makes you think they do in the public sector?
darren samm
Eurozone break up will be a disaster for jobs, growth and the environment: British Tories may wring their hands … http://t.co/cFuDdV1t
Pucci D
Eurozone break up will be a disaster for jobs, growth and the environment: http://t.co/dcT2ayEd writes George Irvin @gwi40
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