To end a week in which I have been examining significant European events, I have selected quotations from other analysis on the same issues, adding a few lines of my own.
Making history 'We will leave the current phase, where it is fashionable to say bad things about Europe, when we stop describing events as a struggle between good and evil, between the good and the bad, between those who are always right and those who are always wrong,' writes Sergio Romano who, after playing a very important role as an Italian diplomat, now writes a column in Italian newspaper Il Corriere della Sera, along with articles for newspapers and reviews in France and elsewhere.
I share his view, but I don't have much hope of seeing it come to pass. In politics, attacking your opponent is standard practice. I am well aware that I am often attacked for writing comments rather than diatribe, but I make an effort to write constructively, particularly because I am aware that there are not many countries where, like in the EU, people are free to express themselves in peaceful, properly-run elections. Politely expressed opinions should be respected, even if we find them distasteful.
Resignation or rebellion in Greece? Writing about the crisis in Greece, several European newspapers have tried to look beyond the official comments and press releases, asking their special envoys to talk to people in the country to learn how the Greeks themselves view matters and how all this is affecting them. The results have been totally contradictory One only noticed strikes, demonstrations of disgusted people and a desire to fight back, particularly against privatisation of ports, the country's pride and joy. The other detected 'the scent of resignation, due in part to the idea that toppling the socialist government wouldn't change anything, so people are adapting, moving back in with their parents, pooling their pay and living off their savings (if they have any).'
I try to understand these views, both of which no doubt have their share of the truth, ware that the loudest voices are not necessarily the most indicative of true public opinion. Why not make an effort to discover something positive in all this? The Greek tragedy could provide: a) an opportunity to eliminate certain tax abuses and corruption that have always dragged the country down (one university professor talks about abuse going back as far as the neo-Hellenic state); b) an example for Greek politicians; c) an incentive to ordinary people to take their own share of responsibility This is the line I have taken in my own commentaries, pointing out on several occasions that joining the euro is not a one-way street and if people reject the discipline required of being in the eurozone, then they are free to leave. I do not write this with any desire for them to leave the euro, but rather to encourage people to take responsibility for their own behaviour and stop seeing themselves as some kind of victim.
Germany imports a lot. 'In Germany, economic growth of 1.5% in the first quarter of the year and 5.2% annually has not been generated by exports, as in the past, but rather by consumption, which accounted for three-quarters of the growth. Investment has risen sharply on the last quarter of 2010,' explains a press release from Destatis, the German Federal Statistics Office.
These figures should remove fears that Germans are continuing to hoard their savings. German imports come from other EU countries have perked up and plenty of Germans will no doubt be holidaying in Greece, Spain, Italy, Ireland and elsewhere in the EU this year. Which leads us into the next quotation....
Control of public spending. 'In Europe, the countries in trouble are not those that were cautious about public spending. The struggling countries are those that couldn't control their finances (…) Less public spending means more private investment,' comments an anonymous expert.
This is a stubborn fact, but it is staggering how often it is ignored in the complex speeches of the learned, who put responsibility on the shoulders of those who respect financial discipline agreements.
Free trade according to the rules. 'I am certain that freeing up global markets does not contradict respect for human rights, the environment and social legislation; we have to strike a balance that encourages EU competitiveness while abiding by the rules,' says Michael Theurer, an MEP in the ADLE (Liberal and Democrat group at the EP). What better way to summarise the views expressed in my last two columns?
(F.R./transl.fl)