23 Ekim 2017, Pazartesi
saat: 22:23
Current Mood: Coding the EU Council Presidency documents & listening to the 9th Symphony. It may be the "Ode to Joy" speaking, but listen:
Every time I work on this dataset (read: at least once a month, if not in every two weeks) I realize it's a miracle the European Union even exists. It hasn't been an easy thing to unify this divided, scarred, ancient land. There were bound to be crises and discussions and disagreements, and of course they were difficult to overcome.
With all the chaos, and name calling going around, we usually forget how important the EU is/has been. It's easy for politicians to score points by attacking the EU: Pride & Prejudice. Representation vs. reconciliation. Elections as "the slap across the face of the EU’s two unelected presidents and their 27 faceless commissioners." Populism/right-wing nationalism. Technocracy & Democratic deficit. Will of the people vs. ability to live with different people. Yada, yada. I do not claim that the EU is perfect. There is not a single political institution that is perfect, but I think many people do not understand what the European Union even is before pointing out to its weaknesses. There is a good argument to be made for Europe. Yes, it could be better. Yes, there are things they need to improve. BUT IT’S A DEMOCRATIC UNION OF COUNTRIES THAT HAVE BEEN AT WAR WITH EACH OTHER SINCE THE MOMENT THEY CAME TO EXIST. It’s not the end result by any means, but if we look at the European past it’s an UNBELIEVABLE step forward.
File this under: Stuff no one cares but I still feel passionate about.
