There's been a discussion on the so called EU-crisis in the mailgroup of my old DG INFSO friends from the traineeship with the European Commission. I give here's my view on the European Dream, something I like to champion as an alternative/complement to the more well known American Dream
Regarding my European Dream, I feel obliged to clarify my notion a little. Especially after having read a column by Ralf Dahrendorf (ex-principal of London School of Economics, ex-commissioner, etc.). To him many Europeans carry an unmeditated and very ill defined idea of a European social model as opposed to capitalism and globalization. This is a romantic and anti-modern view that is dangerous because it easily lends itself to different extremist movements. Furthermore?as has been expressed in this forum?the differences among the social models of EU member states is huge, so talking about a European social model is at best a very bland concept if not downright nonsense.
I am not anti-capitalist nor anti-globalist. In fact, in general I prefer to define myself as pro-something. I was not talking about social models in the ordinary sense, but something you could call a meta-model. I was talking about the ways of solving problems rather than the solutions. One of the differences I find important is the view of the state. I actually believe that the state is inherently something good. I believe parliamentarian democracy is an excellent system because it promotes cooperation, compromise and consensus of the politicians and participation and involvement of the people. I do not believe in immutable rights of the individual à la USA. I think these ideas are misleading. They can never promote social cohesion, something I find important. I believe that if we all get together we can establish laws that are superior to this thinking.
I believe that we in Europe can have republic states that are not based on ethnicity, religion or immutable rights, states that are inclusive and have a strong sense of belonging and affinity among the citizens, states that finds the balance between economic growth, social cohesion and political freedom. We would base these states on a pride in our political system, a desire to create something extraordinary together and a belief that peace and wealth can be omnipresent. However, I am afraid this is not the direction Europe is heading at present.
There are other interesting differences between political systems and I leave them for you to explore. I am but a humble engineer, not a political scientist.
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