Existential crisis?
Radio 4 has asked me why European leaders would regard it as a catastrophe if there was no agreement at this summit. My answer - it would deepen an existential crisis that some of them are going through.
After the No votes two years ago in the Netherlands and France there were many commentators and politicians who declared that the European Union was in crisis without a constitution. Since then, there have been agreements on a brand new energy policy aimed at fighting climate change, two new countries have joined, a new budget has been agreed, as have important regulations on dangerous chemicals… Day-to-day it doesn't feel like a crisis. While many will argue that a European Union of 27 countries would function more efficiently with new rules, it certainly hasn't creaked to a halt.
If there is a crisis, it’s an existential one. Many who believe in the European Union project feel a need to move forward, to evolve, to be able to do more, particularly on the world stage. They saw the No votes almost as an insult and they want to prove Europe is not at a standstill. Then there's the practical politics. Germany's Angela Merkel has invested a great deal of time and effort in getting a deal, so failure would be a failure for her. France's president Sarkozy wants to get a deal before the rosy post-election glow wears off. And Gordon Brown would like it over and done with.
Add grand visions to pragmatic politics and the pressure is on.
I’m Mark Mardell, the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's North America editor. These are my reflections on American politics, some thoughts on being a Brit living in the USA, and who knows what else? My 
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Many may believe in the 'EUropean project', but do they constitute a majority, anywhere? There are many also, who do not believe in the 'project' and see it as fatally flawed.
Without some series of major crises or conflict, the EUropean project has gone as far as it ever will. Every single country (particularly France) will continue to put itself first.
The 'EUropeans' have always considered themselves elevated above what they see as 'petty nationalism'. But the reality is that the EUropeans are the ones with narrow vision and only one solution to every problem (centralization/harmonization). They are afraid of the outside world and live in an insulated shell.
'We' intergovernmentalists have many solutions. We believe in voluntary associations between countries where you can pick and choose and are not forced to accept unbenefitial accords. We believe in national parliamentary democracy and not in the supranational rule of a small clique of ministers or kommissars. We are not afraid of the big bad world.
So not a real crisis at all then? Just euro dictatators stamping their feet because they aren't being allowed to ride rough shod over the wishes of their people.
I have no doubt that, for the sake of their reputations, they will arrive at some kind of deal. Whether it really be of benefit to the citizens of the EU is largely irrelevent to them I feel - their interest is that the European federalist steam-roller can continue advancing.
The most worrying thing is the lack of democratic process and taking the decisions away from the people. "Whoa - last time we had a referendum we got burned! No more of that eh, we'll just agree what we want to do among ourselves. Anyway, they're all to dumb to understand how important this project is to us eurocrats, so best not give them the chance to vote!"
Can't they see that this attitude just puts the whole EU project in greater peril, by further alienating and disillusioning the european citizens? One day I hope that there is a reckoning....
Tickles me that your post on the potential outcome of the G8 summit/EU talks, something which ultimately affects all of us, gets only 3 (now 4) posts, whereas we Brits (may whichever divine guide you believe in bless our little cotton socks) concern ourselves more with the slaughter of farmed animals (albeit dogs and cats) for their furs.
Misguided - apathetic - sentimental jibberish (have you read some of those posts - they're ludicrously funny).
As someone who'll soon be leaving this sinking ship (yep, off to join the masses in France - least they're more interested in EU policy making and are very vocal if they don't like it) - I will certainly be keeping an eye on your blog.
I'm not fully aware of all of the intricacies of the EU but intend educating myself - because only when I understand a great deal more, will I endeavour to pass comment on matters that are far more complicated for me (post-grad educated so I'm not thick!) than ethical issues related to skinning a cat!
Well, at least this posts got 33% more responses!!!