Vodkapundit - Short Ramble

Short Ramble

Posted by Stephen Green · 17 April 2005

Fascinating conjecture from The Belmont Club, which, thanks to an Instalanche you've probably already read. But in case you missed it, here's a key bit:

But if the EU is a really an attempt to turn the continent into a French colony it has once again run into Paul Johnson's observation that a "colony is lost once the level of settlement in exceeded by the growth rate of the indigenous peoples" except now it is in the context of Eastern European entrants. At the heart of French electoral resistance to the EU Constitution is an unwillingness to accept the free-market policies that non-French members want.
...

Europe if not now then soon must accept that enlargement by itself can never fully compensate for the fundamental weakness of its demographics and economy. Even a ship as large as the Titanic eventually fills with water. French EU Foreign Minister Michel Barnier could not have spoken more eloquently of the dead-end French policy had become when he said the EU had no contingency plan in the event of a rejection. "We have no plan B. You cannot have a plan B. It is 'Yes' and that's the only way to discuss this item, so we go 100 percent for that outcome". If wishes were horses then beggars would ride.

While I think France has lost her glory, and while I also beleive the EU constitution is a disaster-in-the-making, I don't wish Europe any ill. I say all that, even if Europe does contantly remind me of General Eisenhower's quip: "War without allies is bad enough; with allies, it is hell."

Like them or not, Europe is still a member of this wonderful thing called Western Civilization. We (and they) are better off with a stronger Europe than a weaker one.

And with that said, the more I read of Europe's troubles, the more I fear a new (and however unlikely) new European War.

Comments

The best promise of the EU is the dilution of France.

Posted by: PacRim Jim at April 17, 2005 10:11 PM

I've long suspected the rationale behind enlargement was a way to overcome a type of structural arteriosclerosis in the greater European economy and political systems. It had to expand to get the new ideas and input it needed to, if not thrive, then survive or at the very least perpetuate itself somehow. Societies must reinvent themselves or else they atrophy and die. We're seeing the end of the possible enlargement of the community. It's only a matter of time before Europe enters a new dark age. One can only hope there's a new Renaissance not too long after that.

Posted by: nemesisenforcer at April 17, 2005 10:30 PM

I just ordered a book by Philippe Roger on frog anti-Americanism.

Basically, they're psycho.

Posted by: Sandy P at April 18, 2005 10:58 AM

"Going to war without France is like going deer hunting without an accordian." -- Jed Babbin, former Undersecretary of Defense

Posted by: Neo at April 18, 2005 09:37 PM

"There is nothing lower than the human race except the French."
Mark Twain

Posted by: nemesisenforcer at April 18, 2005 10:39 PM

In other words, do as we in Wisconsin do. Bring them with you to the cabin, but not actually into the woods.

Posted by: triticale at April 19, 2005 08:54 AM

Continuing here the discussion from the European War post: Lech Walesa recently remarked on the increase from 10 to 10,000,000 Solidarity activists in Poland in response to John Paul II's 1979 visit. He says, "We could see one another and estimate our strength. [JPII] spoke to us: Do not be afraid!...Consciences began to awaken...." http://goodandhappy.typepad.com/g_as_in_good_h_as_in_happ/2005/04/something_unbel.html

There could be a catalyst of this sort, demagogue or charismatic leader or simply brave truth-teller, who turns the tide and heartens one or another group of Europeans to defend their inherited culture. The pervasive cravenness makes no sense from here, and an awakening seems inevitable. Anything could spark it, if they can see each other and estimate their strength, if consciences and self-preservation begin to awaken.

Posted by: dilys at April 19, 2005 08:19 PM

Europe? War? What are they going to fight each other with? With the exception of Britain, they have decimated their militaries. They cannot even support NATO to any degree. They don't have a military!

In the vacuum, in moves the Muslim population--well funded, well armed, and hiding in the recesses of European society. Bingo! Europe is conquered.

Posted by: Pat at April 19, 2005 09:07 PM

Generalized European war is not going to happen because France and the UK are nuclear powers. I suppose there might be some relatively localized excitement, but nothing like the World Wars.

Posted by: Tom at April 22, 2005 03:57 PM