After looking (and calling) for Portuguese EU related blogs, presenting three Spanish quality Euroblogs and discussion in Spanish about online media and social media, we decide to pause to take a look at our map of the online public space in Europe.
There is one corner, which raises grave concern.
This time, I want to show special consideration to so called eurosceptics, who, in my humble view, seldom show signs of true scepticism. I don’t know why people insist on the use of this euphemism, when most of them seem to hate the idea of European integration and the very existence of the European Union.
Geographically or mentally, most of these anti-EU campaigners are located in England. All the miseries of life in contemporary United Kingdom seem to stem from one root cause: the evil European Union.
They are, of course, entitled to their opinions, but I am a bit worried about how some of them go about the business of rejecting the European Union and everything it does.
Every negative allegation about the EU is given full credence. Some of these anti-EU campaigners are content to pass it on to their followers, spiced with some general remarks on the total corruptness or dictatorial nature of the EU(SSR). A second wave of followers uncritically re-emits the message, as if proven on the authority of the first who missed the mark.
Even if aided and abetted by the gutter press, the vitriol has to be refined to win the hearts and minds of the general public, with a view towards gaining the cause for a UK referendum on EU membership and ultimate victory for secession.
It will be long, it will be hard – before withdrawal.
Thus, the anti-EU and pro EU referendum campaigners need to step up their act.
“Know your enemy” is sound advice to anti-EU bloggers in Albion and elsewhere.
The first leg of our journey takes us to the sausage factory (or factories) of the European Union.
Sausage factory and outlets
Otto von Bismarck is quoted as saying: Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made.
Most people glance at European Union affairs through national mainstream media, which tend to highlight national politicians and grievances, but I recommend the use of primary sources whenever possible.
This means a visit to the factory outlets, perhaps even following the sausage making process.
With all the hoop-la surrounding new communication strategies, social media, participation and other novelties, it is easy to forget that main products are official communications from the EU institutions.
Eur-Lex portal
The main store is the legal portal Eur-Lex, which promises “Access to European Union law”. In 23 official languages the store offers the visitor a number of specialised departments, where you find – for free - more information than you can read in a lifetime.
EU Treaties
Everything the European Union does is based on and limited by the Treaties. An awful lot of nonsense about the EU would be eliminated if people cared to read and even more importantly, to understand the powers of the European Union and the limitations of these “competences” regarding the issue at hand.
Admittedly, it would often take the joy out of your life, your conspiracy theories, Euromyths, gut reactions and facile quotes, as well as those of the gutter press, but if nobody can curtail your freedom of speech, there is the risk that at least some of your readers show more sense, which can damage your credibility in the long run.
OJEU – Official Journal of the European Union
The steady stream of EU legislation is found in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU), accessible online from 1998 onwards. Here you find practically everything, from the Treaties to the minute details of delegated acts and competition notices. Many different search options are available.
Preparatory acts
The political battles, inside the EU institutions and outside, are often fought over proposed legislation or policies. Head towards Preparatory acts, if you want to know the sinister plans of the European Commission. COM documents contain the policy papers and proposals. They are often accompanied by more technical SEC (or staff) documents. From this page you can also access Pre-Lex to follow a specific act, or the European Parliament’s Legislative observatory Oeil.
In the pipeline
If you want an overview of the legislation in the pipeline regarding a certain policy area, you can access the Directory of European Union legislation in preparation, divided into twenty different policy fields, then more finely tuned under subheadings. The latest version is updated to 1 August 2010, so you have to search among preparatory acts for the newest proposals.
EU budget
Your wretched country contributes to the cost of the European Union according to a reduced rate (UK rebate). The shortfall is financed by other member states, including the poorest ones. However, your morally upright view is that being a member is punishment enough. Any contribution to the evil EUSSR adds insult to injury, if the monies are taken from British taxpayers. In order to be more convincing, you have to access your favourite hate object: the EU budget.
Become and intellectual giant!
Admittedly, these sources represent only the tip of the iceberg, but if you follow the easy steps outlined in this study guide, you are on your way to stardom, advancing confidently every day.
Put the lessons to good use, and you shall gain the stature of an intellectual giant among your anti-EU followers.
Become a better class of enemy.
Ralf Grahn
Showing posts with label Euroscepticism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Euroscepticism. Show all posts
Monday, 13 September 2010
Thursday, 26 November 2009
Czech EU mysteries explained
Is the Czech Republic a constructive and contributing member of the European Union, or still lost in Europe after prolonged Soviet occupation and Communist rule?
EU citizens have been mystified by Czech happenings in 2009.
Czech president Vaclav Klaus long resisted signing the ratification of the EU Lisbon Treaty, the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) joined the anti-integrationist European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group in the European Parliament and the Czech presidency of the EU Council during the first half of 2009 left a mixed record, including the fall of the government.
A caretaker government is fairly steadily led by Jan Fischer is in charge until the general election in May 2010, but outside government party political fragmentation undermines the picture of a mature democracy.
EPIN
The European Policy Institutes Network (EPIN) has published a paper by Mats Braun: Understanding Klaus – The Story of Czech Eurorealism (EPIN Working Paper No. 26 / November 2009; 11 pages).
Vaclav Klaus and ODS
Braun notes that the Czech population is less “eurosceptic” than members of the political elite, especially within the Civic Democratic Party (ODS), and even the ODS voters are more positive to the EU than the party. The ideological “eurorealism” of the ODS, founded by Vaclav Klaus, is based on fears of domination of the European Union institutions by big countries, and it seeks refuge in Czech sovereignty. In addition to ODS reticence on the right, the Communist Party opposes the EU on the left.
The ratification process of the Lisbon Treaty in the Czech Republic was slow, and some ODS senators loyal to Vaclav Klaus put up stiff resistance during the parliamentary debate and later. Vaclav Klaus’ view of intergovernmental cooperation is far outside the mainstream in Europe and the Czech Republic, but he signed the ratification instrument in order to evade a constitutional complaint for failing to fulfil his constitutional duties.
Europeanisation – slowly
Braun sees an ongoing process of Europeanisation of the ODS and its leader, ex prime minister Mirek Topolanek through interaction within the European Union, but the party is still split. On the other hand, joining the ECR group in the European Parliament together with the UK Conservative Party and the Polish Law and Justice Party (PiS) may conserve “eurosceptic” attitudes.
Braun draws the conclusion that the hard core of Czech eurosceptics is becoming more and more isolated, although the ODS party discourse is sticky.
According to Braun, the ratification problems of the Lisbon Treaty can be seen as an attempt by an ever-shrinking part of the political elite who resist socialisation (into Europe) to make a final effort to make an imprint on Europe. He even describes them as a dying breed, although he does not expect the ODS to leave the ECR group within a foreseeable future.
Klaus’ opt-out from the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights clearly exceeded the mandate of his office, but it remains to be seen if there will be a domestic debate on the legitimacy of this op-out in the Czech Republic.
***
Braun’s clear and well written working paper sheds light on events which have mystified Europeans A.D. 2009.
I checked Czech Happenings on the recent ODS party congress, but failed to find any news in English about the EU relations of the party. Mirek Topolanek is in charge until the elections, but there seem to be undercurrents of opposition.
Ralf Grahn
P.S. Do you find EUSSR myths fascinating? Are we EU citizens worth a better European Union? Read some or all of the 481 Euroblogs aggregated on multilingual Bloggingportal.eu. On most of the blogs you can comment and discuss our common European future.
EU citizens have been mystified by Czech happenings in 2009.
Czech president Vaclav Klaus long resisted signing the ratification of the EU Lisbon Treaty, the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) joined the anti-integrationist European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group in the European Parliament and the Czech presidency of the EU Council during the first half of 2009 left a mixed record, including the fall of the government.
A caretaker government is fairly steadily led by Jan Fischer is in charge until the general election in May 2010, but outside government party political fragmentation undermines the picture of a mature democracy.
EPIN
The European Policy Institutes Network (EPIN) has published a paper by Mats Braun: Understanding Klaus – The Story of Czech Eurorealism (EPIN Working Paper No. 26 / November 2009; 11 pages).
Vaclav Klaus and ODS
Braun notes that the Czech population is less “eurosceptic” than members of the political elite, especially within the Civic Democratic Party (ODS), and even the ODS voters are more positive to the EU than the party. The ideological “eurorealism” of the ODS, founded by Vaclav Klaus, is based on fears of domination of the European Union institutions by big countries, and it seeks refuge in Czech sovereignty. In addition to ODS reticence on the right, the Communist Party opposes the EU on the left.
The ratification process of the Lisbon Treaty in the Czech Republic was slow, and some ODS senators loyal to Vaclav Klaus put up stiff resistance during the parliamentary debate and later. Vaclav Klaus’ view of intergovernmental cooperation is far outside the mainstream in Europe and the Czech Republic, but he signed the ratification instrument in order to evade a constitutional complaint for failing to fulfil his constitutional duties.
Europeanisation – slowly
Braun sees an ongoing process of Europeanisation of the ODS and its leader, ex prime minister Mirek Topolanek through interaction within the European Union, but the party is still split. On the other hand, joining the ECR group in the European Parliament together with the UK Conservative Party and the Polish Law and Justice Party (PiS) may conserve “eurosceptic” attitudes.
Braun draws the conclusion that the hard core of Czech eurosceptics is becoming more and more isolated, although the ODS party discourse is sticky.
According to Braun, the ratification problems of the Lisbon Treaty can be seen as an attempt by an ever-shrinking part of the political elite who resist socialisation (into Europe) to make a final effort to make an imprint on Europe. He even describes them as a dying breed, although he does not expect the ODS to leave the ECR group within a foreseeable future.
Klaus’ opt-out from the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights clearly exceeded the mandate of his office, but it remains to be seen if there will be a domestic debate on the legitimacy of this op-out in the Czech Republic.
***
Braun’s clear and well written working paper sheds light on events which have mystified Europeans A.D. 2009.
I checked Czech Happenings on the recent ODS party congress, but failed to find any news in English about the EU relations of the party. Mirek Topolanek is in charge until the elections, but there seem to be undercurrents of opposition.
Ralf Grahn
P.S. Do you find EUSSR myths fascinating? Are we EU citizens worth a better European Union? Read some or all of the 481 Euroblogs aggregated on multilingual Bloggingportal.eu. On most of the blogs you can comment and discuss our common European future.
Saturday, 28 June 2008
Anti-EU by any other name
By the way, I have wondered at the widespread acceptance of the ‘Euroscepticism’ as the label people use, whose attitude reveals nothing sceptic. No doubts, no uncertainty, no open minds. After reading a lot of these outpourings, I am beginning to think that the ‘Eurosceptic’ in search of truths has yet to be born.
Thus, the label is woolly and misleading. Let’s call a spade a spade.
The early constitutional history of the United States saw the debate between Federalists and anti-Federalists. Let people who identify with Europe be called Europeans, pro-Europeans or pro-EU, and let the people who want to wreck the European Union be called by the most objective term available: anti-EU.
(Some of them, for reasons yet to be verified, deny that they are anti-Europeans. They are only vehemently against Europe’s common institutions and manifestations)
***
Another healthy distinction would be to see EU detractors clearly define what they are against (if a viable programme for anything proves too demanding).
Do they want to dismember the European Union completely, or would they be content to see their own country secede from the EU?
If they have nothing against the vast majority of Europeans deepening European integration, these campaigners could redirect their energies towards secession. With a sharper focus they could perhaps improve their chances of success.
Actually, if their ideals are the ‘free nations of Europe’, why not let the other free nations decide for themselves on cooperation and common action, without insult or injury?
Traders (and nations of shopkeepers) want to keep their customers happy and engage in profitable relations with their providers, don’t they?
Why cause a lot of aggravation, if they only want to live happily ever after behind their moat?
Ralf Grahn
Thus, the label is woolly and misleading. Let’s call a spade a spade.
The early constitutional history of the United States saw the debate between Federalists and anti-Federalists. Let people who identify with Europe be called Europeans, pro-Europeans or pro-EU, and let the people who want to wreck the European Union be called by the most objective term available: anti-EU.
(Some of them, for reasons yet to be verified, deny that they are anti-Europeans. They are only vehemently against Europe’s common institutions and manifestations)
***
Another healthy distinction would be to see EU detractors clearly define what they are against (if a viable programme for anything proves too demanding).
Do they want to dismember the European Union completely, or would they be content to see their own country secede from the EU?
If they have nothing against the vast majority of Europeans deepening European integration, these campaigners could redirect their energies towards secession. With a sharper focus they could perhaps improve their chances of success.
Actually, if their ideals are the ‘free nations of Europe’, why not let the other free nations decide for themselves on cooperation and common action, without insult or injury?
Traders (and nations of shopkeepers) want to keep their customers happy and engage in profitable relations with their providers, don’t they?
Why cause a lot of aggravation, if they only want to live happily ever after behind their moat?
Ralf Grahn
Populist Euroscepticism
Fabian Guy Neuner has started a blog, Embracing the Union, with the aim to face up to the destructive power of populist Euroscepticism. The address of Embracing the Union is:
http://embracingtheunion.blogactiv.eu/
Neuner’s first post ‘Now is the time! Lessons from Dublin and Vienna’ (26 June 2008) discusses the Irish rejection of the Lisbon Treaty. Neuner sees the ‘no’ vote in Ireland as a victory for targeted misinformation which uses people’s fears to mobilise the masses.
On the same day as the first post, the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ) leadership caved in to populist pressure by proclaiming that they would put further treaty ratifications to a plebiscite. In Neuner’s view, populism nurtured by Euroscepticism has the power to make leaders drop their commitment to European integration in order to remain in power (or at least increase their chances of doing so).
Neuner sets himself the objective of critically discussing the EU’s democratic credentials and discrediting the myths that permeate the debate on Europe.
***
It is always a pleasure to see a new critical and constructive Euroblog in English. I wish Neuner good luck in his endeavour and I look forward to his following posts.
Ralf Grahn
http://embracingtheunion.blogactiv.eu/
Neuner’s first post ‘Now is the time! Lessons from Dublin and Vienna’ (26 June 2008) discusses the Irish rejection of the Lisbon Treaty. Neuner sees the ‘no’ vote in Ireland as a victory for targeted misinformation which uses people’s fears to mobilise the masses.
On the same day as the first post, the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ) leadership caved in to populist pressure by proclaiming that they would put further treaty ratifications to a plebiscite. In Neuner’s view, populism nurtured by Euroscepticism has the power to make leaders drop their commitment to European integration in order to remain in power (or at least increase their chances of doing so).
Neuner sets himself the objective of critically discussing the EU’s democratic credentials and discrediting the myths that permeate the debate on Europe.
***
It is always a pleasure to see a new critical and constructive Euroblog in English. I wish Neuner good luck in his endeavour and I look forward to his following posts.
Ralf Grahn
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