An Undemocratic European Union

[Guest]

Just recently, the Lisbon Treaty (an important European Union treaty) was ratified by all 27 European Union (EU) states. This treaty is supposed to give more power to the people, however the way the treaty has been passed is very undemocratic, as a majority of EU countries did not allow the people to vote on it!

This is a classical example of the top down roll out of an EU initiative. For a long time now, I have struggled with this approach and believe that there should be more of a bottom up (people engaging) approach toward EU initiatives. EU countries are extremely diverse and if the EU wants more political power - whether a good thing or bad - the EU should work toward engaging people so that a common ground can be found. This should then subsequently form the basis for EU initiatives.

The EU has achieved many economic advancements, this was also the main motive for founding the EU. Countries could relate to such a motive as they could see the benefits. However, if the EU wants to win the hearts and minds of its people, it should start to view the people in more of a social context and not just an economic context. I think a fresh approach is required for EU initiatives and the film EU and ME, which can be accessed via below path, gives an idea why this is needed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XcFwFB2Q2U

[Husky]

Has there been a major tectonic shuffle of late, because last I checked India was not in the European Union. Nor in Europe.

When you look at a European map of the world, you will find India (what these forums are about) far to the east and some bit south of Europe. It's located in a continent called Asia - that's the big landmass to the right of Europe on your maps.

Our country - though a democracy (on paper) - cannot vote in better rights and more democratic powers for Europeans.

[Guest]

Not quiet the response I was expecting. The topic was posted under other culture, what is the use of posting such a comment! If you have not got anything better to do than moan, then please do this somewhere else, thank you.

Any other constructive comments are welcome!

[Guest]

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Has there been a major tectonic shuffle of late, because last I checked India was not in the European Union. Nor in Europe.

When you look at a European map of the world, you will find India (what these forums are about) far to the east and some bit south of Europe. It's located in a continent called Asia - that's the big landmass to the right of Europe on your maps.

Our country - though a democracy (on paper) - cannot vote in better rights and more democratic powers for Europeans.
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

<!--emo&:roll--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ROTFL.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='ROTFL.gif' /><!--endemo-->:roll

[Guest]

In my last reply to Husky, I wrongly quoted that I had posted this topic under Other Culture, this is indeed not the case, as it is under current affairs, which can be interpreted as Indian or Interanational Affairs. I explicitly asked permission from the moderator if I could post this topic on this this forum, as I am keen to find out what Indian people find of the European Union and to share some thoughts on this.

To just breifly touch on Husky’s first comment, I must say that his geographical knowledge is very good, however this cannot be said for his capicity to think outside a particular country. <!--emo&:argue--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/argue.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='argue.gif' /><!--endemo-->

Maybe it is an idea to make a separate header on the forum, ie, International. <!--emo&:beer--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cheers.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='cheers.gif' /><!--endemo-->

To date I have posted this topic on many different fourms around the world. The responses I have had from people, mainly non Europeans, have been very interesting and have led to constructive discussions on the EU and the exchanging of views from non Europeans on the EU. I posted this topic on this Indian forum, in the hope to get a similar discussion started. All constructive repsonses whether negativie or postive about the EU are more that welcome.

Thank you.

[Husky]

<!--QuoteBegin-redi hoke+Nov 16 2009, 04:41 PM-->QUOTE(redi hoke @ Nov 16 2009, 04:41 PM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->however this cannot be said for his capicity to think outside a particular country.
[right][snapback]102580[/snapback][/right]<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->Easy there. I am far more sympathetic to Europeans and Europe than many (most? all?) others on this forum. As it happens, I think about and worry for Europe <i>quite</i> often in fact. But the sympathy (and <i>what</i> Europe it is for) is not for any reasons that would immediately spring to mind.

Anyway, my earlier response was both for
1. my suspicion that you were just advertising and did not intend to return - a behaviour many others have exhibited,
2. and - in case you were serious - to gently remind you/anyone else who wants to post a similar topic (and it is as *gentle* as I ever get - What, you don't appreciate? <!--emo&:o--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='ohmy.gif' /><!--endemo-->) that <i>No One Else</i> Here Is Likely To Respond To You in an involved discussion.
I imagine it quite likely that it <i>was</i> going to be either my response or the silent treatment (which some consider to be less friendly). Was essentially trying to tell you that this is not the forum for the kind of topic you wish to discuss. That's not to say we don't wish you well in your endeavours for a better democracy.


<b>Then again</b>, I may be plain wrong, and there could well be some eager members wishing to discuss the very matter you had in mind, and they're just taking their time or haven't got round to checking out your opening post yet. In which case I obviously had no right to presume and speak for them.

[HareKrishna]

[quote name='redi hoke' date='14 November 2009 - 02:17 AM' timestamp='1258144775' post='102526']

Just recently, the Lisbon Treaty (an important European Union treaty) was ratified by all 27 European Union (EU) states. This treaty is supposed to give more power to the people, however the way the treaty has been passed is very undemocratic, as a majority of EU countries did not allow the people to vote on it!



This is a classical example of the top down roll out of an EU initiative. For a long time now, I have struggled with this approach and believe that there should be more of a bottom up (people engaging) approach toward EU initiatives. EU countries are extremely diverse and if the EU wants more political power - whether a good thing or bad - the EU should work toward engaging people so that a common ground can be found. This should then subsequently form the basis for EU initiatives.



The EU has achieved many economic advancements, this was also the main motive for founding the EU. Countries could relate to such a motive as they could see the benefits. However, if the EU wants to win the hearts and minds of its people, it should start to view the people in more of a social context and not just an economic context. I think a fresh approach is required for EU initiatives and the film EU and ME, which can be accessed via below path, gives an idea why this is needed.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XcFwFB2Q2U

[/quote]

Its known that christo-democrats marxist politicians of euro zone are hungry for more power.

Now that you bring euros problems on an indian forum you also need to bring indian problems on euro forums(especially problems that are produced by euro politicians in non-eu countries) .

If you want allies, you must reciprocate.