I want to make it clear from the beginning that I AM NOT A EUROSKEPTIC. I think the EU has been a good idea from the very start and the most important argument to support this rather straightforward statement is that it has managed to reach the main goal of EU-founders: to prevent a new large scale war breaking out in Europe (especially among the big powers). I also think the EU had a significant positive influence on post-communist states on their road to democracy and capitalism. Nevertheless, the EU can be improved in many ways.
Here is where euroskeptics enter the scene. For those of us who believe the EU is essentially a good thing, but can’t really put their finger on what should be done to improve it, listening to a euroskeptic is quite useful! I realized this while we were listening to the one and only Gawain Towler, the spokesman of the Independence/Democracy group in the EP. Besides being, I would say, the most coherent of all the representatives of the group that came to meet us, he expressed very simple, straightforward ideas about the EU, such as “Problems should be dealt with at the national level, without the European whip above us” (approximate quotation). The entire program of the euroskeptics manages to articulate in a very direct way the biggest critiques that can be brought to an enlarging EU. Take a look at this short version of their program.
Finding counter-arguments to these very simple points made by the euroskeptics can help us europhiles build a solid reasoning in favor of the EU, can make us think more profoundly about the EU, why we need it and at up to what level should it expand its influence over member states. Otherwise, our sympathy for the EU might be just a superficial and inertial attitude.
To conclude this post, here is a piece of thought from Gawain Towler, recorded on October 19th, 2007, a day after the heads of the 27 member states reached a consensus on the final version of the Lisbon Treaty.
(56 votes, average: 3.96 out of 5)
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The UK will cease to exist in any meaningful way?
Really?
I’d like to see a video of master Towler backing up that very bold statement.
“Finding counter-arguments to these very simple points made by the euroskeptics can help us europhiles build a solid reasoning in favor of the EU”
I agree!!! Totally right, but nonetheless, don’t get e wrong, I’m not against free speech, but sometimes, or even every time these Eurosceptics just start lying and quoting wrong facts, someone should respond and show them wrong…
My God!!! Sorry but with all due respect, this guy is just a punk!!!
Andrei, we should not be surprised of such bold statements. I think we can anticipate the type of arguments he might bring, as I said, these arguments are quite simplistic usually. But sometimes these are the most challenging.
T, I don’t share your opinion on Towler, though I understand where it might be coming from
. I find him quite an interesting guy after I got to listen to him longer. And also compared to the other spokesmen of the groups in the EP.
your argument is similar to one of nietzsche’s, in thus spoke zarathustra. it boils down to the fact that believers and nonbelievers (i.e. in god) really need each other to understand themselves authentically.
ps. are you sure that “preventing a war” is the main argument of most EU-believers ?
Some Euroskeptics are cool indeed. At the same time the very presence of such a view motivates the mainstream politicians in Europe to work for fixing the malfunctions of the EU so I see Euroskepticism as a positive thing after all.
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Whz, the main goal for which what we call today the EU was founded in the 1950’s was to create a system of (especially economic) cooperation and interdependence between France and Germany, in order to prevent the two states from starting another conflict for resources and power, as it happened for centuries until then. From this perspective, the EU proved to be a winning card.
who is euroskeptical? the brits?
mate they always have to have their very own way of living: different outlets, different traffic rules, different currency and all, aliens paranoia eţetera.
@prodan
there are euroskeptics everywhere in Europe, not just in the UK. though the brits are special even among euroskeptics, I agree.
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Great post! Nice!