A very common method of discarding criticism is to attach a label to the person or idea formulating the criticism. Usually the label diverts the subject being criticised and elevates it to a whole population, race or concept. For example, people who disagreed with the imperialistic policy carried in several ocassions by the United States were blamed of being anti-american. In this way the criticism which is addressed to Bush and his policy, for example, is radiated towards the american population which have sometimes a very slight notion of what is going on in reality. The same goes for antisemitism, as a label which is bound to be attached to you if you happen to criticize as disproportionate and criminal certain actions of the state of Israel as decided by its authorities. And this goes on and on with names as anti-system, radical, etc. The subject of my blog here is in the same situation. Criticising the structure and functioning of the european union should grant me the label of anti-european. No matter if I have lived in different countries, speak different languages, have friends of different nationalities, I would still be anti-european. No matter if I explain that I tend to put patriotism as well as ethnic identity and religious beliefs in the same bucket of irrationalities to be despised. I should clarify that doesn't mean that I regret being spanish or even madrileño. Whether I want it or not, that is part of me in as much as being a member of a family. It is there in my memories, in my habits and in some of my deep feelings, but it will never become a reason to live or to die. Indeed, I feel more or less similarly about being european. Despite all the blessed diversity of habits and tongues, there are so many common things in all of us. If your mind doesn't teach you that, travelling and living in other continents makes that flagrant. As a scientist I am very concious of being immersed in a tradition of rational thought which is deeply european, although now spread worldwide. Mysteriously one of the cradles of this fundamentally european tract, instead of getting copyright benefits from it, is actually being pushed to misery by its fellow european leaders speaking in the name of their populations, who are very often unaware of the real facts and truths behind this situation. The pathetic minister of economy of the spanish government is wildly proclaiming his will not to forgive a penny to the Greeks. He, who has a career with such highlights as working for Lehman Brothers and Pricewaterhouse in the past. He member of a government that has forgiven (forever) debts to banks with money from the spanish citizens. He who has driven spanish science to the death corridor. The horse of Attila, the king of huns, should be jealous of such a destructive curriculum. But, it is to be understood that his response tries to hide and justify the servilistic approach followed by him and his government. The same goes for Rajoy.
So yes, I admit I do not like this Europe we've created. There are some aspects that I do not like of the model itself. The general structure of the EU is far from democratic. The
governing boards are not directly elected and only recently named by
the european parliament. Furthermore, the power of the comission is
unclear and very frequently leaders of individual countries like
Hollande and Merkel seem to act as representatives and even impose the
policies. Furthermore, the EU has created a large set of "privileged"
civil servants or fellows, having disproportionate salaries and benefits
with respect to their equivalents in all the countries. They have also
created a bureaucracy which is very frequently outrageous. The
particular policies, such as that of research is based on pouring a huge amount of money over a few individuals or projects and leaving the rest unfunded. Anyhow, all these criticisms are minor compared to the one explained in the next paragraph.
In a country like Spain there are poorer and richer regions, depending on the type of dominant economy. I happen to belong to one of the rich regions. However, I believe that citizens of all regions should have equivalent access to basic things such as health, education or pensions. The spanish government does indeed implement this policy. As an individual citizen I also happen to belong to the social strata which are net contributors to the tax system. I am happy to pay my contribution and allow poorer people to access to these basic essentials, not as charity but as social justice. Apparently, the european union does not comply with this scheme. Not only do they tolerate that there are citizens without basic access to food, health and education, they are actually causing it. It is acceptable that other european countries demand cuts in luxury and superfluous spending in Greece or any other country, but to impose severe cuts that severely affect the minimum standards for living is illegitimate. Their insistence upon doubtful measures like "privatization", their easiness to give money to banks at low interest rates, their lack of concern about an increasing disproportion in the distribution of wealth are clear witnesses that they they are vehicules of a liberal agenda. A dogma that has been strongly falsified by facts, presented by supposed experts which not only were unable to anticipate the finantial crisis, but in many cases were active agents of its creation. Far from being punished they are, as in the case of the Spanish Minister, promoted to lead the public affairs. Criticism by top and respected academics is silenced and ignored.
In summary, I believe in a EU (or at least a Eurozone) where there is universal coverage for a minimum of basic needs. That would be enough, and would not erase the huge wealth differences among regions and countries. If that principle applies for regions in a country, and also to individuals, why not to Europe?
