How the EU would make reforms is the problem. And I think it cannot create an common European identity.Yes it's a bit of a mess at the moment, which is why I think institutional reforms are necessary, in one or the other direction, but not this hybrid form. — ChatteringMonkey
I think both the left and the right have a lot to say about that. And how do we philosophically validate the context of 'the good life'. I assume people have different opinions about this.Once appropriately defined and philosophically validated in the context of 'the good life' it might then have the social and political potential of becoming the aspiration of the majority. When this occurs, the polarity between left and right, republican and democrat will begin to naturally dissolve, and man can then begin to aspire towards the best form of government, which is the government which has the least need to govern. — Marcus de Brun
How the EU would make reforms is the problem. And I think it cannot create an common European identity.
It simply is too bureaucratic and basically the shall we say 'domestic' politicians are totally fine for "Brussels" to be in charge. Then they can blame "Brussels". In fact, the whole problem is that people can critisize "Brussels" and not their own politicians. True power lies with the heads of state of the member countries and their administrations, not with the faceless bureaucracy in Brussels. Perhaps France can have unified it's country with faceless bureaucrats, but the whole of Western Europe is a different thing.
Furthermore, the federalists have this idea that if federalization is not continued, everything will fall somehow apart. How that would happen is beyond me. Why cannot the EU be happy about a loose federation and grant that countries want to go a little bit differently some freedom. Even the state laws in the US can differ a lot. — ssu
Then they can blame "Brussels". In fact, the whole problem is that people can critisize "Brussels" and not their own politicians. — ssu
I just can't really see the nation states as the solution for the future. — ChatteringMonkey
We enlightened moderns dismiss the ethnic identities of the rabble, frown on nationalism, disapprove of the nation state, regret the existence of hierarchies, reject religious identity, and so on. We, of course, think of ourselves as transethnic; beyond gender's dictatorship; world citizens; above hierarchy (or would that be below hierarchy?); not religious; etc.
If we want to find the people who are quite out of touch with reality, all we have to do is look in the mirror.
Very large complex societies maintain their internal organization using national identity, gendered roles, hierarchies, ethnicities, religion, race, and so on. The results of maintaining strong internal identity -- identity strong enough to survive world wars, civil wars, regional wars, economic collapse, and so forth are not altogether pleasant, but they work quite well.
I think a nation state that can hold itself together and function in a complex, sometimes destabilized world is a good thing, and citizens, being the primates that we are, need recognizable features to identify with. — Bitter Crank
as long as they don't lead to what we have seen in Europe in the 20th century — ChatteringMonkey
Oh, it's quite possible: Just add there Democrats working with Brussels to emasculate the US and a sinister plot against American white heterosexual males. Also add a global pedophile ring there too. The Russian intelligence services would be so excited to nurture this new conspiracy with their trolls and bots!Americans would like to blame Brussels as well. We are tired of criticizing and blaming Washington, and Washington has grown accustomed to being criticized, excoriated, referenced as a swamp, and threatened with draining. Perhaps American criticism of Brussels would be refreshing to the bureaucrats there. — Bitter Crank
It is all about economics.I would anticipate that in the presence of increases economic, climate, and agricultural stress, groups will seek to solidly their cohesive identities, as well as their material needs.
The best way to avoid a trampling and crushing of minorities as the majorities rush for the exits, so to speak, is to try avoid as much economic, climate, and agricultural stress as possible. Otherwise, prepare for interesting times. — Bitter Crank
You raised good points, ChatteringMonkey.But there are two things that might be reasons to expect it to get better. One is that the European Union is in terms of a governing body still very young. These things need time to iron things out and traditions to be built up. And two, with new data technology the larger scale might not be such a big problem in the future.
Anyway, though I'm conflicted about this, I just can't really see the nation states as the solution for the future. — ChatteringMonkey
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