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Switzerland also moved far more slowly than the EU, and waited with common currency until cultural and political unification had come much further than EU today

Switzerland also moved far more slowly than the EU, and waited with common currency until cultural and political unification had come much further than EU today. I think one of the authors central themes was the need for pragmatism over ideology. I think that is the main problem with the EU today. Too many career politician with grand visions. We need people more rooted in reality who understand and respect national differences and don't pretend we are all so dam equal. To clarify, we are equal in value, but not in customs, expectations and nature. I think all Europeans want to be together, but we don't fully trust each other and that must be taken into account.

seszett 10y ago
> I think that is the main problem with the EU today. Too many career politician with grand visions. I have a lot of things to say about career politicians, but grand visions clearly isn't the first thing that comes to my mind. > We need people more rooted in reality I know many people who would say that Realpolitik and lack of ideals is actually what is poisoning the EU.
- nairboon 10y ago
  It seems that the grand vision of EU politicians is a massive centralized government ruling over all of Europe. From their POV it might be a reasonable grand vision. It's interesting that the same idea for the Grande unification comes up at least once per century, just repacked in a different ideology.
- jernfrost 10y ago
  I suppose it all depends on perspective. I just don't think the ever closer EU integration is driven by pragmatism. I think it is driven by grand visions for a superstate because they have this rosy idea of how nice it would be for all Europeans to share one country holding hands and singing happy songs. They don't seem to take any practical considerations to things like there are countries like Greece which simply hasn't solved the problem of collecting taxes and spending within means. 100 German economist signed a petition against Greece joining the Euro, because they said exactly what happened would happen. Instead the pragmatists were overruled by the dreamers. The ones who have suffered the most due to these dreamers are the Greeks themselves. Real love is setting proper boundaries and not just give into anybody's indulgences.

seszett 10y ago

> I think that is the main problem with the EU today. Too many career politician with grand visions. I have a lot of things to say about career politicians, but grand visions clearly isn't the first thing that comes to my mind. > We need people more rooted in reality I know many people who would say that Realpolitik and lack of ideals is actually what is poisoning the EU.

nairboon 10y ago
It seems that the grand vision of EU politicians is a massive centralized government ruling over all of Europe. From their POV it might be a reasonable grand vision. It's interesting that the same idea for the Grande unification comes up at least once per century, just repacked in a different ideology.
jernfrost 10y ago
I suppose it all depends on perspective. I just don't think the ever closer EU integration is driven by pragmatism. I think it is driven by grand visions for a superstate because they have this rosy idea of how nice it would be for all Europeans to share one country holding hands and singing happy songs. They don't seem to take any practical considerations to things like there are countries like Greece which simply hasn't solved the problem of collecting taxes and spending within means. 100 German economist signed a petition against Greece joining the Euro, because they said exactly what happened would happen. Instead the pragmatists were overruled by the dreamers. The ones who have suffered the most due to these dreamers are the Greeks themselves. Real love is setting proper boundaries and not just give into anybody's indulgences.