4 ms·

I agree that would be the best economic theoretical model, is it in any way feasible realistically though? Politically? Even if ignoring the EU side of it (wh

by erkkie 11y ago

I agree that would be the best economic theoretical model, is it in any way feasible realistically though? Politically? Even if ignoring the EU side of it (which is nontrivial for various reasons not limited to defense, the vision of the EU, etc), is there a magic wand that would make the Greek government not be populist and wasteful with their own currency?

aembleton 11y ago
Politically it would be very difficult. The problem with the EU is that it fantasises about being a United States of Europe. The problem with this is that Europe is not united. We have different languages, culture and histories. This is also what make Europe a beautiful, culturally rich place. The political elites are trying to impose a one size fits all model across Europe which won't work because we are not really all that united. We don't have a common European demos that means that individual countries are fighting for their own interest and their is no overall strategy for Europe because the electorate doesn't really care about Europe, just what they get from being a part of it. We really need to go back to being a trading block and to remove all of the political dictact and interference. If we really must have political unions, then they need to be between countries that share a common language so that the people can challenge their political masters collectively. This would mean Britian and Ireland, Germany and Austria, France and Belgium.
- erkkie 11y ago
  Where would you draw the line? Euro as a common currency makes travel super convenient for example, not to mention the Schengen area and open borders. Same could be said for certain regulations in health and sanitation for example, knowing you could rely on some forms of standards existing (however poorly implemented or not). Also why would you make artificial barriers based on language, shouldn't the lines be formed based on culture and common understanding instead? Language is not what is preventing common people from participating in politics.
  - aembleton 11y ago
    Not having to change currencies is convenient but at least in the UK you can get Credit Cards without charge for use overseas including cash withdrawl - http://www.halifax.co.uk/creditcards/clarity-card/ http://www.halifax.co.uk/creditcards/clarity-card/. Then when you travel you don't need to change currency, just head to the ATM or just use your card. You can't compare prices so easily, but then taxes are different even within the eurozone. Language is preventing me from watching Austrian TV and phoning into their radio debates. That is, the population of Europe is silo'd whilst their political masters are attempting to work together. This is fractured because the electorate that place these politicians into positions of power cannot unite together to challenge them. If there was a political union between the UK and Ireland then language wouldn't prevent me from calling an RTE show. We even already have a political party operating both in Westminster and Dublin - Sinn Féin.
  - aembleton 11y ago
    Imposing sanitary standards from the centre sounds great but in reality is one countries ideals being pushed onto another's. For example, the EU is trying to prevent restaurants serving olive oil from jugs: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/10064787/EU-to-ban-olive-oil-jugs-from-restaurants.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/10064787... This might seem sensible to many in Northern Europe, but I imagine that in the Mediterranean this is almost an attack on their culture. If countries like Britain and Germany want higher hygiene levels on the olive oil served in their restaurants then they can do that themselves but they shouldn't be imposing that onto Spain and Italy. Part of the excitement on travelling to other countries is the differences; the longer the EU goes on with it's powertrip the more homogenised we will become.
    - erkkie 11y ago
      Being from a EU country which overzealously implements all new directives (and having travelled the southern countries) I agree with the sentiment, but think we would all be better served discussing the implementation (is x going too far or not) not the ideology (don't tell me to do x). Sometimes things go too far and then it's time to back off, but at the same time knowing that there's a good chance obviously dangerous things are banned is a good thing.

by erkkie 11y ago

aembleton 11y ago

Politically it would be very difficult. The problem with the EU is that it fantasises about being a United States of Europe. The problem with this is that Europe is not united. We have different languages, culture and histories. This is also what make Europe a beautiful, culturally rich place. The political elites are trying to impose a one size fits all model across Europe which won't work because we are not really all that united. We don't have a common European demos that means that individual countries are fighting for their own interest and their is no overall strategy for Europe because the electorate doesn't really care about Europe, just what they get from being a part of it. We really need to go back to being a trading block and to remove all of the political dictact and interference. If we really must have political unions, then they need to be between countries that share a common language so that the people can challenge their political masters collectively. This would mean Britian and Ireland, Germany and Austria, France and Belgium.

erkkie 11y ago
Where would you draw the line? Euro as a common currency makes travel super convenient for example, not to mention the Schengen area and open borders. Same could be said for certain regulations in health and sanitation for example, knowing you could rely on some forms of standards existing (however poorly implemented or not). Also why would you make artificial barriers based on language, shouldn't the lines be formed based on culture and common understanding instead? Language is not what is preventing common people from participating in politics.
- aembleton 11y ago
  Not having to change currencies is convenient but at least in the UK you can get Credit Cards without charge for use overseas including cash withdrawl - http://www.halifax.co.uk/creditcards/clarity-card/ http://www.halifax.co.uk/creditcards/clarity-card/. Then when you travel you don't need to change currency, just head to the ATM or just use your card. You can't compare prices so easily, but then taxes are different even within the eurozone. Language is preventing me from watching Austrian TV and phoning into their radio debates. That is, the population of Europe is silo'd whilst their political masters are attempting to work together. This is fractured because the electorate that place these politicians into positions of power cannot unite together to challenge them. If there was a political union between the UK and Ireland then language wouldn't prevent me from calling an RTE show. We even already have a political party operating both in Westminster and Dublin - Sinn Féin.
- aembleton 11y ago
  Imposing sanitary standards from the centre sounds great but in reality is one countries ideals being pushed onto another's. For example, the EU is trying to prevent restaurants serving olive oil from jugs: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/10064787/EU-to-ban-olive-oil-jugs-from-restaurants.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/10064787... This might seem sensible to many in Northern Europe, but I imagine that in the Mediterranean this is almost an attack on their culture. If countries like Britain and Germany want higher hygiene levels on the olive oil served in their restaurants then they can do that themselves but they shouldn't be imposing that onto Spain and Italy. Part of the excitement on travelling to other countries is the differences; the longer the EU goes on with it's powertrip the more homogenised we will become.
  - erkkie 11y ago
    Being from a EU country which overzealously implements all new directives (and having travelled the southern countries) I agree with the sentiment, but think we would all be better served discussing the implementation (is x going too far or not) not the ideology (don't tell me to do x). Sometimes things go too far and then it's time to back off, but at the same time knowing that there's a good chance obviously dangerous things are banned is a good thing.