agricola
Member
an article which contains some good points, but which assumes too much.
for instance, from the French perspective one has to recall that recent French administrations have been overshadowed by the spectre of De Gaulle. Like it or not, that element of French society is intensely proud, and has to deal with (to them) three occasions where their ally the United States has not responded to their requests for help in time - both World Wars and the Indochinese War. These conflicts in essence confirmed to the French that they could only really depend on themselves (hence the withdrawl from NATO, the French rush for an A-bomb, the way in which the EEC (now EU) was rigged to blatantly favour the French etc). In any case, the French are only following their national interest, just as the US is, and just as everyone else has been.
the German position is a bit different in that they do not feel that they need the US any more, now that Germany is reunified and she is surrounded (for the first time in her history) by friendly states. as a result she feels that the EU is the future for Germany, and she will go along with the federalization of the EU - which is fundamentally opposed (take the new members out) to the idea of US hegemony.
if left unchecked this could well develop into a situation in which the US is asked to leave Europe and, as a result of the split, Europe is moved closer together aligned against the interests of the United States. this would be bad for all parties.
i dont know if anyone remembers this here, but about ten years ago the BBC made a concept documentary-style drama about what life would be like in fifteen (i think) years time. they predicted a world divided between the EU and US; and the main reason for the divide was a bloody US campaign in the Middle East and the percieved lack of support from Europe. it wasnt a perfect match, but I have been thinking about that film recently and if they show it again I'll inform you - spooky stuff.
for instance, from the French perspective one has to recall that recent French administrations have been overshadowed by the spectre of De Gaulle. Like it or not, that element of French society is intensely proud, and has to deal with (to them) three occasions where their ally the United States has not responded to their requests for help in time - both World Wars and the Indochinese War. These conflicts in essence confirmed to the French that they could only really depend on themselves (hence the withdrawl from NATO, the French rush for an A-bomb, the way in which the EEC (now EU) was rigged to blatantly favour the French etc). In any case, the French are only following their national interest, just as the US is, and just as everyone else has been.
the German position is a bit different in that they do not feel that they need the US any more, now that Germany is reunified and she is surrounded (for the first time in her history) by friendly states. as a result she feels that the EU is the future for Germany, and she will go along with the federalization of the EU - which is fundamentally opposed (take the new members out) to the idea of US hegemony.
if left unchecked this could well develop into a situation in which the US is asked to leave Europe and, as a result of the split, Europe is moved closer together aligned against the interests of the United States. this would be bad for all parties.
i dont know if anyone remembers this here, but about ten years ago the BBC made a concept documentary-style drama about what life would be like in fifteen (i think) years time. they predicted a world divided between the EU and US; and the main reason for the divide was a bloody US campaign in the Middle East and the percieved lack of support from Europe. it wasnt a perfect match, but I have been thinking about that film recently and if they show it again I'll inform you - spooky stuff.