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THE CELTIC CONNECTION • MARCH 1992
Europe '92 - The New Common Order
You could predict a homogeneous land stretching from Ireland to Russia. Or you could foresee a union of "distinct" cultures coordinating their economic and political policies to the advantage of rich and poor members.
Europe 1992 contains 12 countries, 9 official languages, and a population of 340 million — all without a border post in sight.
BORDERLESS AND BOUNDLESS
The seeds of the European Community sprang from two World Wars fought on nationalistic platforms. Millions of dead every 25 years was not the answer. A new Europe, bound economically and politically, would absorb nationalism into a broader perspective of Europe as one land.
Since then Europe has levelled its borders. Goods, people, and capital move freely. The agenda has been set for a common currency and greater power to Euro institutions.
Britain still has a love affair with sterling. And its double decker
BUSINESS REPORT
buses. The EEC has decided the buses are too high off the ground and should lose a few feet upstairs. The U.K.'s cribbing could be the butterflies of a faltering power as well as a fear of a united Germany in Europe.
A Euro central bank would be modelled on the German Bundesbank and its monetary policies. The ECU would be tied to the strong German mark. As the British see it, this adds up to a loss of sovereignty, and it looks as though the economic war was won by Germany and Japan.
France too has historical reasons to fear a united Germany. The French reasoning moves in an opposite direction to the English. The French view the EEC as binding Germany to the common consensus, with no one nation dictating to the rest.
But Germany will set the standards. It will have the most seats in the European Parliment and its
influence will grow as the EEC expands. Ultimately, Berlin will become the new capital of Europe.
With economic and monetary union, depressed areas such as Ireland, Scotland, and Wales can expect increased structural funding. Regional development stimulates economic activity. In general, this creates jobs, reduces emigration, and raises tax revenue.
In Ireland the Coalition Government (Fianna Fail and the Progressive Democrats) supports the new Europe. The Labour Party and the Workers' Party have reservations with regard to defence and the role of the European parliament. Similarly, the Green Party has concerns over a loss of sovereignty. They believe a common foreign and security policy could draw Ireland into a pro-nuclear stance.
Britain's refusal to accept the European Social Charter may offer
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a short-term competitive edge. Namely, its cheaper labour will attract more foreign capital. Ireland's solution endorses the Social Charter in principle. Working hours and paid leave remain in contention.
ARMING FOR PEACE
Whether Ireland joins a European defence force has been left to future negotiation. The Irish army's role can only be seen as a peacekeeping force—especially when there s no money for bullets. Recently, Irish soldiers had to yell "Bang, Bang," instead of firing live rounds when out on manoeuvres.
It will be increasingly difficult for Ireland to confine its army to peace keeping. Not that it has any offensive capability. As can be seen with Canada in the Gulf War, "peace keeping" has many interpretations.
A small, open economy, such as Ireland's, will not lose much by handing over fiscal and monetary control to Europe. Nativelrishhave become resigned to 20 percent unemployment, emigration, high taxes, and black holes. The new Europe can bypass complacency with imagination.
Irish writers and artists have always looked to Europe as a sanctuary — to escape parochialism and find their true voice. Perhaps it's time for Ireland to reinvent itself and relinquish the shadows of the past.
In the end, it will be the people and its culture that decide each nation's distinctness. Not the Eurocrats. Nor their ideal of homogeneity in everything from money to nappies.
NIALL McOJLLOUGH
That's what gets Eurocrats a bad name. Homogeneity. It's a bit like nappy rash. Common and irksome. Maybe that's the price Europeans will have to pay for increased prosperity. At least no one has to die for it.
The new Europe may heal the wounds of two World Wars. But it won't mean a United States of Europe with a Big Mac culture, Disneyland politics, and Star Wars sensibilities. What will it mean?
It will mean adios, arrivederci, avrio, adeus, au revoir, farvel, leb wohl, vaarwell, good bye, slan to the old Europe.
Do the people of Europe want a single currency and more power to European institutions?
Italians: 69 percent for it Germans: 45 percent for it British: 40 percent for it
A "Guardian/ICM" poll on November 14, 1991 showed 58 percent of Britons were against a single currency and 25 percent for it.
Transfer of power to Europe: 63 percent against 23 percent for.
NiallMcCullough isafreelancewriler living in Vancouver who graduated from Trinity College in Dublin with a degree in Economics.
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