EU elections 2009: three Q's - president, FM, money on a EU-wide referendum?

[butchersapron]

The "hypocrisy" claim has nothing to do with your opinions, but everything to do with you accusing others about wanting to define the debate whilst simultaneously attempting to define the debate yourself. You can have whatever opinion you want, in fact, I've been asking you to tell me them for about 4 hours now!

I've not attempted to limit the content of the debate. The exact opposite in fact. I've been trying to carve out an area where those who are against the Eu can comment on it in the face of your opposition and explict argument that only those who don't want the abolition of the EU should comment. How can you not follow your own argument?

 

[CyberRose]

I've not attempted to limit the content of the debate. The exact opposite in fact. I've been trying to carve out an area where those who are against the Eu can comment on it in the face of your opposition and explict argument that only those who don't want the abolition of the EU should comment. How can you not follow your own argument?

Erm this thread would suggest otherwise...

 

[gorski]

How about why one is against - in detail, argued, with some backup, as it were?

Anyway, back to the 3 Q's:

prez

FM

€

?

 

[gorski]

http://www.eurotopics.net/en/presse...rgen-Habermas-claims-the-EU-treaty-is-elitist

Jürgen Habermas claims the EU treaty is elitist

The newspaper publishes a speech delivered by German philosopher Jürgen Habermas at the cultural forum of the SPD party. Habermas calls for a stronger, more united Europe and criticises the EU Reform Treaty saying it reaffirms "the elitist character of political events that are increasingly removed from the people":

Unless certain key topics are added to the usual spectrum that shapes opinion in the different nations, and unless national opinion in the different states becomes more accessible to European topics affecting other nations, the citizens won't be able to benefit from the formally strengthened position of the Parliament. ... In short, the current gap between the political elites and the citizens is being reinforced, and the path to a political decision on Europe's future character is blocked. ... Governments must overcome their desire to control and give their citizens a chance to decide on Europe's future in a referendum.

 

[newharper]

http://www.eurotopics.net/en/presse...rgen-Habermas-claims-the-EU-treaty-is-elitist

Na, du hast recht,

but who sets the questions has too much influence on the way that the questions are slanted.

Humphrey

 

[gorski]

http://www.eurotopics.net/en/presse...uergen-Habermas-on-a-two-speed-European-Union

Süddeutsche Zeitung - Germany | Tuesday, June 17, 2008 Jürgen Habermas on a two-speed European Union

Philosopher Jürgen Habermas reflects on the future of the EU in the wake of Ireland's No to the EU Reform Treaty:

The motive for the Irish No is open to speculation, but the first official reactions are clear. The European governments whose ambitions were thwarted do not want to appear at a loss, and are searching for a technical solution which would boil down to repeating the Irish referendum.



However this demonstrates a purely cynical view of voters' opinions. ... The social, political and cultural side effects of the free market that was wanted and implemented across Europe are being passed off onto nation states which are denied any role in determining these external costs. ... However there is a way out of this malaise.


It could come in the form of a cooperation treaty with member states desiring to be exempted from cooperation in certain institutions for a time. Europe has come a long way on the convoy model, in which the slowest member sets the pace. But this model is now obsolete. ..



With commitment and a bit of luck, a two-speed Europe could result, provided the countries that approved the treaty cooperate more closely in the areas of foreign and security policy as well as economic and social policy.