December 14, 2003

The Great Compromise Revisited

The European Union is trying to write a new constitution in preparation for an influx of new members which will bring the total to 25. The most recent meeting of what could be considered a Euro “Constitutional Convention” has ended in deadlock. Seems they can’t decide how the member states will be represented.

Not surprisingly, the big states, such as Germany and France, want representation based upon population. They assumed they were going to get their way. After all, when it comes to matters Euro, they usually do. Less populous countries like Spain and Poland want equal representation for each. So Poland scuppered the deal. Poland not letting the Germans have what they want? Is this a good idea? Have they forgotten what happened the last time?

Since I haven’t been employed as a consultant, and because I’m a Euro-sceptic, I hate to solve the problem for them. It’s not like I have to come up something new. This has been done before. As they are trying to create a United States of Europe, it seems to me they should look to the most successful United States created so far. Give both sides what they want and create a bicameral legislature.

Unfortunately, since most of Europe is very Ameri-sceptic, I’m sure they will come up with something different. Since most Americans aren’t even aware of what the Europeans are doing, I doubt that anyone from that side of the Pond has offered advice. (Pop quiz for American readers: without referring to an Internet source, how many of the countries about to join the EU can you name?)

Posted by david at December 14, 2003 09:31 PM | TrackBack
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