There is something not quite right, in my opinion, about the current debate over Europe.
Firstly, the accepted thinking is that the UK seeks a "looser" Europe which it sees essentially as an institution for promoting trade. France and Germany, on the other hand, are interested in tighter integration and greater political unity. That may well be true in the case of Germany but I am not at all sure that it is for France. It is true that the mainstream political DISCOURSE here in France is in favour of "more Europe", but when it comes to actually doing something to promote greater unity, the government of whatever persuasion starts to drag its heels. As for the population as a whole, I doubt that there is any more enthusiasm than there is in Britain.
Secondly, there is much talk among economists of the need for "structural reforms", but it is never spelt out what exactly these structural reforms consist of. Can anyone enlighten me?
Firstly, the accepted thinking is that the UK seeks a "looser" Europe which it sees essentially as an institution for promoting trade. France and Germany, on the other hand, are interested in tighter integration and greater political unity. That may well be true in the case of Germany but I am not at all sure that it is for France. It is true that the mainstream political DISCOURSE here in France is in favour of "more Europe", but when it comes to actually doing something to promote greater unity, the government of whatever persuasion starts to drag its heels. As for the population as a whole, I doubt that there is any more enthusiasm than there is in Britain.
Secondly, there is much talk among economists of the need for "structural reforms", but it is never spelt out what exactly these structural reforms consist of. Can anyone enlighten me?
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