open Democracy News Analysis - europe: after the constitution - Comments

Not logged in on "Ireland’s European referendum: second take, high stake"

Not logged in — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 07:42:40 +0000

European citizens should only be asked to answer one single question regarding the EU: Do you want your country to be part of the EU or not?
If the answer is yes and a country is now a Member State of the EU I don't see why our elected policians, earnings salaries that many of us would love to have, can't take decisions themselves about what is best for their countries. If a country is in the EU, then it should make it work. Let's be honest, citizens do not have any idea about what the Lisbon Treaty is. And they should not. It is like if somebody asks me to give my approval to a high-technology engineering project. I have no idea. And I am writing from a country that voted "yes" in a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, but in my country even the nationalist parties are pro-European!!
Honestly, I am sick and tired to see how the whole EU project, in which I firmly believe, is being stopped like this, putting on hold so much work and energy from 27 countries. I am glad that Ireland, a pro-European country, voted yes (at last).

Not logged in on "Ireland’s European referendum: second take, high stake"

Not logged in — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:03:18 +0000

It is unfair that only Irleand has allowed its citizens a vote, the french and dutch Governments have rejected their peoples votes, and Ireland having rationally voted NO to the unelected eu commission taking over the running of their country as well. The rabid europhiles keep harping on that a small country can't over rule what the majority want, but opf course a victory for the NO vote in Ireland will actually mean more people overall have voted against it thatn for it. It is a shame that the Irish politicians have allowed the unelected power mandarins of the eu to brow beat them into having a re run to get the "right" reply, those of us who believe in democracy can only hope that the Irish will again do the right thing.

D Hockney on "Ireland’s European referendum: second take, high stake"

D Hockney — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:01:27 +0000

What is most worrying about this second campaign is the degree to which state radio and tv has been used to effectively spread smears about the No campaign, on the basis of not giving coverage to what are called "lies". Anything the No campaign says about what might result from the surrender of control that Lisbon undoubtedly represents, is called "lies", but the preposterous extreme scaremongering statements made by the Yes side about the economy collpasing, the EU kicking Ireland out of the EU etc are treated simply as fact and given airtime. On that basis, state radio and tv denies coverage to the side it opposes, and gives slavish coverage for the side it supports. This change of rule has been planned for some time, with statements made by tame journalists (many funded by the EU) justifying not giving proper coverage to the No side over the past nine months. In actual fact, all statements are part of the campaign and should be debated properly, not suppressed by cheerleaders of the Yes campaign. We all talk about loss of democracy in other parts of the globe, but what is going on in our own back yards is frightening.

Not logged in on "Ireland’s European referendum: second take, high stake"

Not logged in — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:20:22 +0000

This is an urgent call from the rest of the free Europe and from Germany:

For the freedom of opinion, for the free people in Europe and for the freedom of the citizens:

YOU must vote --- NO --- about the Lisbon Treaty again!

Our thankfulness would be always with you and your beautiful country and, for sure, you do the right thing!

Please inform all your friends to do the same in the poll on Friday for Europe!

Cllr. RupertRead on "Ireland’s European referendum: second take, high stake"

Cllr. RupertRead — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:28:57 +0000

Myself and some friends and colleagues have sent this letter to the Irish media: it may be of interest:

A message to the Irish people

The European Union has great potential to be a force for good in this
continent and this world. We can see some of this potential realised in
the role it has played in preventing major wars on its territory since
1945, and more recently in the lead role it has played on matters
environmental.

But today, the E.U. is suffering from a legitimation crisis, a
'democratic deficit' of huge proportions. Since the Enlightenment the
idea of self-rule by free and equal citizens has been the cornerstone of
European democracy. Constitutions can give expression to this idea of
shared freedom and thus serve as the basis for democratic institutions.
They can, however, only do so, if we have reason to believe that the
constutions are understandable and acceptable to the citizens.

The Lisbon Treaty is effectively the constitutional treaty for the
European Union. The major part of its content has been rejected in
referenda in France and the Netherlands in 2005 and in Ireland in 2008.
It needs to be thoroughly revised in a transparent and democratic manner
before it is brought back to the citizens of Europe for approval.

In that context, the referendum that your country is holding next week
stands as a unique beacon of hope.

We would ask you this: don't vote against the Lisbon Treaty out of petty
nationalism. (The island of Ireland knows all too well of what excesses
of fervour about national identity can lead to, in terms of human
suffering.) Be internationalists: as intellectuals from different
European countries outside your borders, we are asking you to speak for
us. Hundreds of millions of European citizens have been denied a voice
at the ballot box: exercise that power on our behalf.

Vote against the undemocratic project of Lisbon. Vote so that all of us
will be given that same right that you, rightly, have been given.

Our common future is in your hands. Force them to stop, to think again,
to democratise.

Please vote No to the Lisbon Treaty, on October 2nd.

Thomas Wallgren, Finland, Head, Department of Philosophy, University of
Helsinki
Susan GEORGE, Paris, France, Author, Board Chair of the Transnational
Institute
Rupert Read, UK, Reader in Philosophy, UEA, Norwich
Mladen Dolar, Professor, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
Mikael Böök, Project Manager, Helsinki, Finland
Dr. Steen Brock, Associate Professor, Dr. Phil.,Department of
Philosophy, University of Aarhus, Denmark
Dr. John Collins, School of Philosophy, UEA, UK
George Daremas -Greece, Sn. Lecturer, University of Indianapolis -
Athens campus
Haris Golemis, Nicos Poulantzas Institute (Greece)
J.P.Roos Professor,Dept Social Policy,POB 18, 00014 University of
Helsinki, Finland
Dr Derek Wall, Visiting Tutor, Dept of Politics, Goldsmiths College, London.

LT on "The referendum: populism vs democracy"

LT — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:29:42 +0000

this article makes sweeping generalizations not substantiated by fact.

you don't have to trust elites any more, u have the god damned internet. switzerland, arguably the most democratic country has the highest newspaper literacy rate in the world.

also, no consequences? say people voted on a budget. if they didn't spend enough money on a certain function of government they would see the repercussions and inevitably adjust it the next time around.

DominiqueBR on "Europe, America, Russia: the world-changing tide"

DominiqueBR — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:06:50 +0000

Legal American: This was a great comment)

I always wondered why every american seems to think that he knows better what's best for other countries. We DO NOT WANT your kind of democracy, never did, and never will. Instead, we will build our own, if only you would stop meddling in our affairs.

I have to say, I am pleasantly surprised about this site. Unlike most news sites, people here are actually trying to be objective about things, instead of just repeating age-old propaganda over and over again.

Legal american resident on "Europe, America, Russia: the world-changing tide"

Legal american resident — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 07:47:34 +0000

Dear Walker, nobody`s making me to watch 1st channel, Russians have as much freedom as you do in this country....Suprized?of coarse you would prefer to read how exKGB spy and just a bad guy Putin puts polonium in a man mouth in some bar, on his way back home kills his two of his girlfriends Politkovskaya and Estimirova, then ne starts a little war in Georgia, killing tens of solders(how about 1600 civilians, that they killed?), finally, distroys the economy, but stuiped Russians keep supporting him, because they drink a lot of vodka...I was suprized last year, how American press was dumping sheet on Russia, neglactig facts!!!... I could say a lot more, but take one tip:Mentioning God doesn`t make you look rigth, HE is there and sees everything. Wacth out!!!

walker on "Europe, America, Russia: the world-changing tide"

walker — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 06:17:49 +0000

Author of this article is trying to reflect events of the past years in a keynote of neglecting the facts.

Probably to demonstrate how important is neglecting, author intentionally forgets about some facts that have occur. He forgets about the fact that Russia changed the socium in Georgia by killing tens of people, he forgets about that Russia has closed the gas for Europe in winter of 2008.

So, whats the price of neglecting the facts?

In our century the fight between democracy and autocracy is much more important than never. Because now most of countrys can have nuclear weapons and because the oil stock will be terminated in less than 30 years. I think there is no need to tell what will happen after the oil supply will be dead.

Neglecting in public articles the facts that, for example, Russia is making on TV, including 1st channel, anti-democratic propaganda for its citizens, the author of article is neglecting the Most important fact, the fact that he has personal responsibility for millions of people's lives.

Rein Müllerson should open the Bible and read the Gospel of Matthew 7:3, this will help him in his political life

Europe United on "Europe’s trance of unreality"

Europe United — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:27:31 +0000

This article puts its finger on the problems arising from a lack of genuine commitment to democratic accountability in Europe.

For those searching for an alternative vision, the time has come to demand a truly democratic Europe. Sign the petition: www.fivedemands.eu and join the movement.

Anne Palmer on "Europe’s trance of unreality"

Anne Palmer — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 11:23:37 +0000

Without the people behind it, the European Union will fail. What is happening now through the excellent account above of the "day before the referendum in Ireland, and the day after", has done more harm than any alleged anti-European Union or pro-Nation State person could ever have done.

Anthony Barnett on "Europe’s other legitimacy crisis"

Anthony Barnett — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 22:32:10 +0000

This is a very interesting article indeed - thank you very much. Your description of the "sandwich" holds out the option for the first time that I know of, of the administration in the EU's headquarters becoming a positive force with respect to public opinion, as they act in concert. But doesn't this challenge your earlier thesis from your book, that you quote, which says that anti-corruption drives simply delegitimises all politics "because they do not have opportunities to convince publics that they are successful in curbing graft and corruption".

Henrik R Clausen on "Europe’s other legitimacy crisis"

Henrik R Clausen — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:17:03 +0000

50 EU-funded projects, only 2 of them materialized (Greece)?

If that cameraman had real guts, he'd of course do what he was paid to do.

Then, in parallel, document the failures and the cover-ups and release that a while after the first propaganda movie.

That should make a difference :)

gladstone on "Europe’s other legitimacy crisis"

gladstone — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:29:50 +0000

The outcomes between applying the EU funds in a corrupt and a non-corrupt way seem hardly very different.

In a country like Bulgaria where there are hundreds of thousands of farmers living on the verge of poverty the EU only fund large scale projects covering dozens of acres.

When money only goes to those who already have plenty to invest does it really matter if it is applied corruptly or non-corruptly?

BrightonGeoff on "Europe’s other legitimacy crisis"

BrightonGeoff — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:45:32 +0000

Was intrigued by the anthropologist Edward Banfield's concept and how it applies to Bulgaria. Banfield's concept was developed in the late 1950s initially via a comparison of Southern Italy and US Utah. He found the citizens of Utah were active in numerous associations outside the family while the materially poor Italians werent.

Doesnt amoral familism apply to the UK similarly?
I don't see any widespread commitment to life outside work and the nuclear family, on my doorstep. I see a lot of overworked people who seek refuge in time out relaxing with their nuclear families.
Isn't maximising the advantages of the nuclear family what Thatcher was all about? I havent noticed any change after a decade of Blairism.