
Issue No 75		27 October 2000

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Away For The Games

Europe Leans Left?

By Peter Lewis

The good guys are in the driver's seat across Europe as it moves towards economic union.


	Peter Lewis

At the dawn of a new century the powers of Europe - Germany, Britain, Italy, France and Holland - are all being ruled by Social Democratic legislatures. As the nation-states that have dominated Western thought and culture since history was recorded are finally finding mechanisms to end their ancient feuds that have brought so much misery and destruction, the leaders of these key states are wielding real influence in defining the new Europe. With the leverage provided by the expanding concept of a united Europe these governments are making real headway on environmental laws, labour laws, as well as the terms for engagement with global capital. And in doing so they are creating a counter-argument to the American model of global capitalism where the market has replaced the State as the sovereign power.

Where America wields global power through private investment backed by the threat of public force, the western European nations are creating a sphere of influence based on the new rules of engagement in a unified Europe. Through the economic integration of the Euro and the rules governing membership of the EU, they have the tools to set conditions for both member states and the dozens of aspirant states to the East. The power to issue directives on everything from social policy to labour laws to the environment has led to real progress. These directives are, for instance, being used to unveil tax havens within Europe and pressure countries of the East hoping to join the EU to revise their nuclear power policies.

At the same time individual states are pushing the edges of the political debate showing how enlightened policy need not be at odds with economic growth. European environmental standards on everything from recycling to greenhouse are world's best. The recent blockades over fuel prices are testament to the steps being taken to discourage private cars - petrol is two to three times more expensive than in Australia. Working hours are a mainstream political issue with governments in France and Holland taking positive steps And even debates about national identity are mainstream with high profile protests against American culture - in particular McDonalds - in France and Italy, winning the support of the government.

Interestingly, apart from Tony Blair in Britain, all these governments are alliances between a progressive centrist party and one or more parties of the broader Left such as the Greens in Germany, the Socialists in Italy and even the liberal Right in Holland. These are not two-party states - and the political landscape is far more diverse. In Germany you have a Green as foreign minister and a Chancellor who is currently sitting at number two on the pop charts with a song based on his refrain 'go get me a bottle of beer before I go on strike here." In France, it means a cultural warrior like Jose Bove eyeing the presidency - as soon as he gets out of jail for bulldozing the local McDonalds. In Italy, it means an Opposition leader like media magnate Silvio Berlesconi, is accepted by the union movement as a moderate force and decent employer. Whereas voters in two party states like the US decry the lack of choice between leaders, the need to build alliances to rule creates a mixing pot of real ideas, real issues, real personalities.

Another striking factor is the ongoing strength of the Liberal right - often linked to the church under the guise of the Christian Democrats. Where the wets are a museum piece in Australia, their policies of genuine liberalism live on. They act as a buffer against the more extreme right wing groups, who are marginalized. In Holland, for instance, the government of former union leader Hans Kok is a coalition of the Liberal right and social democrats - with Trade unions, again with the exception Britain, are far less likely to support one political bloc, preferring to seek influence and understandings with all groupings. And when you look at union agendas across the continent, its hard to mount the argument that there is more for organised labour to be gained in maintaining a position of political partisanship.

None of which is to glorify the new Europe - there are huge disparities across the continent in terms of wealth and opportunity. Many rural communites are now deserted - those that survive are propped up by tariffs, the shift from the south of Italy to the north has been profound; there is also rising intolerance of economic refugees from former colonies. As for the Euro, the decision by the Danes to reject economic union and Britain's continuing ambivalence to economic union shows not all are convinced on the course of action. This indecision has recently sent the Euro into freefall, raising doubts about the workabilityof the financial; system; but with the currency due to begin circulation in just over 12 months, most are now tied to the process. As they should; the majority of states recognise that the fortunes of their people are tied together; the days of colonial competitiveness are over. Neither does this detract from the parallel reality that European union is a self-preservation mechanism in the face of globalisation; but this necessary change is providing opportunities to recast society on many different levels.

Travelling around the continent these past few months, I've been struck by how much of European history has been dominated by violence in the name of one nation-state over another. Not to mention the colonies. All these countries seem to have at some stage been conqueror and conquered; all the way through to the 20th century and its horrors. You get an undertone that after WWII a collective decision has been made that enough is enough - no state is worth this sort of destruction. It seems that the majority have accepted that the time has (finally) come to work together. So is Europe progressive? Sure. But at this point in history, an outward looking, tolerant and hands on state, working with like-minded neighbours, seems the only logical option.

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Issue 75 contents

Interview: Civilized Capital
The FNV's Harrie Lindelauff explains to Peter Lewis how a friendly government and moderate employers make for a different sort of workplace in Holland.

Politics: Where Too Much Politics Is Barely Enough
With daily newspapers providing polling and analysis, television, cable, radio and Internet providing 24 hour coverage over a year long campaign -- there's more than enough politics for even the most voracious American political junkie reports Michael Gadiel.

International: US Cleaners on Hunger Strike
A number of US cleaners have this week gone on a hunger strike to back a union campaign for higher wages.

Economics: The Pass The Risk Trick
Derivatives, often seen as the currency of casino capitalism, are the fastest growing, largest and potentially most volatile aspect of capitalist economies. Economist Dick Brian sees behind this image an even deeper danger.

Health: Depressing Workplaces
New technologies and the impact of globalisation have sparked more stress and bouts of depression for workers, while causing a growing burden for social security systems, a new ILO report says.

Unions: Costello's Con
The low paid are bearing the brunt of the GST with inflation at a 10 year high argues the ACTU's Greg Combet.

Satire: Bush campaign an in-joke, admit advisors
TEXAS, Thursday: Following Bush's disastrous performance in the first Presidential debate it has been revealed that his bid for president is actually the result of a in-joke about how stupid the American people are.

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