The End of the European Union?

 

Exams are over, summer is about to begin (celebrations have obviously started already), the weather is a lot nicer than a month ago and you have probably already planned a trip to some exotic destination. I will hence try my best to keep this post as short as possible.

As you probably know Juventus won the Serie A once again, Manchester City won the EPL and Godzilla returned to the big screen. There is however something else relatively important going on these days. Indeed, my mates from the UK have voted today for the local elections and those from my native country, Italy, will be voting this Sunday for the Euro-elections (like the rest of Europe.) The European Union means a lot to me, it constitutes to a very large extent my identity, and I believe that the debate on the EU should revolve around old and new identities, without obviously disregarding economic matters.

 

It is easy, perhaps very easy, to attack the European Union as an institution, but very hard to criticize the idea behind such an institution. Euro-skeptic leaders such as Farage (UKIP), Grillo (5 star movement) and Marine Le Pen (Front National) often (rightly?) point out that the EU is a supranational institution which interferes with the policies of elected democratic governments. It increases democratic deficit throughout the region. Some, such as Farage contend that the European Union allows excessive freedom of movement throughout the Euro-area. Others, such as Grillo, argue that it is unaffordable and the money donated to the EU could be better spent in Italy and the austerity measures imposed by the EU have had a devastating impact on Italy. I believe most of these appealing positions are questionable. The EU as an institution has, like most other supranational institutions, certain evident issues, such as for example its costs and interference with domestic policies. Pointing the finger against the European Union as an institution is a relatively easy task. What euro-skeptic leaders and supporters struggle to criticize however is the idea behind such an institution, its historical significance, the bounds it has spurred.

 

Globalization and the expansion of free markets have radically re-shaped the world we live in. If, on the one hand they represent an opportunity to build up an EU society with strong bonds, an opportunity to head towards a cosmopolitan dimension characterized by greater integration, freedom of movement and greater cohesion. On the other, they may lead to the re-emergence of national/racial identities and the stigmatization of the foreign. Globalization, technological innovation, the spread of free markets, greater freedom of movement, require (for different reasons) a new mindset, they necessitate the establishment of a new identity, a new “European identity.” Indeed, the challenges of today are very different from those of one or two decades ago. If we go back to a framework constituted by competing nation-states, we won’t be able to deal with any of the challenges of the twenty-first century. We won’t be able to cooperate and work together in order to face macro-scale issues such as mass migration, criminal activities on a global scale, effects of climate change/natural disasters, and many others.

 

A new identity is also indispensable in order to bring about solidarity among nation states within the European continent. It is cute, but very naive, to argue (as Farage has done at the Corriere della Sera) or believe that a Europe without an institution such as the European Union will remain to be a continent of friendly trading partners. The feeling of community will slowly dissolve and countries will not collaborate/work as a team anymore. It is inevitable and indisputable. It is more likely it will become a hotbed of hatred and rivalry, just like, unfortunately, history has demonstrated. For this reason I believe the institution of the EU should be reformed, but the idea of a united Europe should never die. The idea behind the European Union was one of the most successful and powerful ideas of the post world war two era. It brought together people with radically different roots and identities. It unified the most conflict-afflicted continent on the planet. It assisted CEE countries in the democratization process. It led to the establishment of one of the largest economies in the world. It increased cooperation and communication among the european continent. It has been a tool for peace and prosperity within and outside the continent.

 

Believe it or not, I consider myself more european than italian and I truly love my continent, just as much as I love my country. I really hope euro-skeptic movements will not jeopardize solidarity amongst european countries.

 

Congratulations to those of you who have read the entire post. I will post very soon some interesting facts and figures supporting my position.