Turning back the wheel of history
#45
The Story
Attack on the EU
Tell me.
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) will push for a Brexit-style referendum on membership of the European Union (EU) if it comes to power, as its leader Alice Weidel told the Financial Times. Weidel also named the United Kingdom’s exit from the bloc as “dead right”.
Should I care about her view?
The AfD is making steady gains in polls and is currently ahead of the governing Social Democrats, Greens and Free Democrats with more than 20 per cent.
What do the Germans think?
They are predominantly pro-Europe. Leaving the EU is not an issue. According to a recent poll, 87 per cent would like to continue EU membership. It is different among AfD voters. There, only 55 per cent say Germany should stay in the bloc.
Right-wingers often do not like the EU.
They think in terms of national borders. Your own country is the most important, they say. Everything else is secondary. We know that from Donald Trump: America first, and so on.
Why do they think so?
Conservatives like to look back. They want to preserve. They grew up with the nation state as the most important level of government. That's how it should stay.
Has it always been like this?
When today's Germany emerged in the 19th century, those who stood up against the many small states – mostly monarchically run – and for the nation state those were progressive liberals. Constitution, freedom, progress, the rule of law, democracy – that's what they stood up for. Today, progressive people primarily advocate for more power at the European level.
Why the shift?
When the railway came along in the 19th century, distances shrank. The many small states became an obstacle to progress. They hindered the planning of routes, and the many different legal systems made the transport of goods difficult. Technological progress has continued since then. Today, the European level is the appropriate framework for many current challenges. The common European single market has created a large economic area and made prosperity possible. And the European emissions trading system (EU ETS) ensures that Europe is a global pioneer in reducing CO2 emissions.
How To Save Democracy
If the European Union didn't exist, it would have to be invented as quickly as possible. We must, therefore, continually highlight the damn luck of living on common European ground. That goods and services can be transported without barriers. That the EU's people can settle wherever they want within the European Union. – There is so much to praise. And so much that has to improve (yes, there is).