Congeries of cross connected concepts
NPR had a story this morning on the impact of the “no” votes in France and Holland on the EU Constitution. What struck me in listening to the coverage was how the positive case was based on anti-Americanism rather than pro-Europeanism. The essence seemed to be that a politically unified EU (or approval of the EU Constitution, the two things be treated as if they were equivalent) was necessary to compete with or be a “counter-weight” to the USA. In at least one discussion, this was the only reason given. I realize that frequently the arguments against an EU polity are rehashed Luddism, but surely proponents can’t really believe that the European masses will give up their national sovereignity just to stick a finger in Uncle Sam’s eye?
While people natter on endless about the differences between Old Europe and the USA, this kind of spitefulness seems to me to be one of the key distinguishing characteristics. American competition is about moving faster than the other guy, while the EUlite emphasize hobbling the other guy. Even at the height of the Japanphobia craze in the USA, the emphasis about policies still remained on how the USA would be better, not about how those policies would cripple Japan. No wonder the EUlite get along so well with the Palestinian leadership, another gang that is far more enthusiastic about venting spite than self improvement.
