The new European crisis

[abomvubuso]

"If this is the answer, it is better to be alone than in bad company", said the Italian foreign minister Roberto Maroni. "Italy has breached the 'spirit' of EU free travel rules", responded his German counterpart Hans-Peter Friedrich. He also threatened that if Italy continues to let North African immigrants to flock across its territory into the

Comments

[mahnmut]

In a globalised world you cant claim to be freely accepting the flow of capitals and ideas while bombarding countries into freedom and then sending its people back when they come knocking at your door. There's a certain inconsistency in this.

This, * 100.

[underlankers]

The temptation to make some ironic comments about European racism and their inability to actually consider what they were doing when they started playing musical dictators is strong. Then I remember a likely Presidential contender is Michelle Bachmann and I bite my tongue instead of noting that Europeans are just like the USA: all for integrating minorities until it turns into the real thing. Do as they say, not that they want to do.

[anfalicious]

1.5 - 2 million people immigrate to the EU each year. Even if they have 50 000 refugees rock up this year that's still only around 3% of their total immigrant intake. In terms of total population, it's one refugee for every 10 000 European. In other words, fuck all. (for some comparison: Oz; 20 million population, 300K immigrants per year, 13500 refugees per year. USA; 300 million, 1 million, 80K; Canada and NZ are even better. In other words, the EU isn't pulling their weight compared to the rest of the west).

Like here in Australia, this is a total non-issue and by non-issue, I mean "has absolutely no impact on the pragmatic running of the state or the culture and customs of the people within it". I'm not saying that immigration doesn't effect the state and culture, it does, but that's why we have to go back to our figures; 3% of total immigration intakeSo what's going on here? Due to political correctness, you can't really come out and say "IMMIGRANTS GO HOME!!! NO BROWN PEOPLE IN EUROPE!!!" anymore, even though that is a

[htpcl]

> with both Sarkozy and Merkel now essentially entering into a pre-election mode

[luvdovz]

Right. I don't know why, but it seems to me that the solution for the immigration issue is not only very clear and predictable, but has also been used before, and with some good success. But of course that doesn't mean it would be easy, especially when the money is not enough (like now

[htpcl]

I'm not sure West Europe moved a finger to incorporate the East culturally, it happened naturally because, as you say, they share a lot of common traits even after decades of division on both sides of the Iron Curtain. The gaps that had to be closed were mostly economical.

Also I didn't say anything about nation-building of the "encircle themselves with a "wall" of democratic regimes along its borders". I said "encouraging them to establish firm rules and follow them, whatever they may be". If they want Sharia, let them have Sharia. Who are we to tell them what's best for them? Just choose something and let us know, and let's start working together.

[airiefairie]

the powdered Euro poodles in Brussels

More like spaniels. =)

[okmewriting]

LOL, anyone with half a brain knew Schengen had the potential to go very wrong (except politicians it seems).

I don't think the rise of the far right is necessarily down to racism - there are racists but I think most of it is people who weren't happy with the EU (the politicians have always been far more happy than the citizens), worrying about what mass economic migration will do to the country and don't like bailing other countries out.

[abomvubuso]

The rise of the far-right is not related to racism, yes. Its mostly disillusionment with the way the European institutions have been designed and are operating. Its an expression of the emerging Euro-skepticism (which is emerging on the mainland, while it has been the dominant sentiment in Britain and some Scandinavian countries).

Add the economic troubles for the last couple of years, and the inadequate response of the European politicians, and you've got a potent mix of disappointment, and a subsequent protest vote. Its got very little to do with race, though thats a factor in some Eastern European members too.