tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5312853715123370916.post3476854574351839770..comments2024-03-17T00:10:44.022+00:00Comments on From Arse To Elbow: Flip a CoinDavid Timoneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03568348438980023320noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5312853715123370916.post-56665082289357907272015-07-05T21:44:40.551+01:002015-07-05T21:44:40.551+01:00If the EU represents 'the ruling class coming ...If the EU represents 'the ruling class coming together for their collective interests' then what does the nation-state represent?<br /><br />For what it is worth, the EU is not nearly as powerful an instrument for crushing working-class activity and leftist aspirations as nation-states have been, but just as movements were able to win universal suffrage and welfare policies within nation states, they can achieve those things within the EU, and perhaps in this day and age it is essential that they do. Igor Belanovnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5312853715123370916.post-10315599961869572542015-07-04T14:21:00.589+01:002015-07-04T14:21:00.589+01:00I think these super transnational organisations ca...I think these super transnational organisations can impose conditions on nations that step outside the status quo, thereby strangling many potentially progressive movements. It is harder for progressive movements within nations to make headway against the neo liberal order, the crushing of Greece illustrates this.<br /><br />This is the flip side, you gave the potentially positive side.<br /><br />Your positive spin makes little sense to me and seems to be one based on some sort of faith, when leftists talk about internationalism they are not talking about the ruling class coming together for their collective interests (which is what the EU represents) but the working class!<br /><br />Whatever happened to smashing the state?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> Herbie Kills Childrennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5312853715123370916.post-43601345109254648742015-07-02T19:43:01.171+01:002015-07-02T19:43:01.171+01:00The 'idea' of the EU is as good or better ...The 'idea' of the EU is as good or better than that of any nation-state. It represents a potentially internationalist solution to problems that affect Europeans across the continent, and a political space that will be filled by our enemies if we leave it uncontested. The difficulties of Greece are unlikely to be alleviated without some form of European settlement, and most of the Greeks realise that, despite what they have gone through. It would help them greatly if friendly forces were able to exert a bit of extra pressure.Igor Belanovnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5312853715123370916.post-62386933125596779862015-07-02T17:59:24.413+01:002015-07-02T17:59:24.413+01:00"I suspect we will see a decided softening in..."I suspect we will see a decided softening in European attitudes to authoritarianism and dictatorship"<br /><br />Italy was basically taken over by a dictatorship not so long ago in the same of financial responsibility!<br /><br />I am beginning to think the EU is not such a good idea after all. Didn't someone say Smash the State!Herbie Kills Childrennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5312853715123370916.post-88278117903560166842015-07-01T12:24:39.621+01:002015-07-01T12:24:39.621+01:00The signs that Syriza is now buckling helps to dem...The signs that Syriza is now buckling helps to demonstrate that the current institutional set-up is ideal for the European elite. They issue the orders, but the Greek government has to cope with the consequences. In the chaos created this week by the latest stage of the crisis, the Euro elite are clearly hoping that the Greek people will effectively surrender rather than subject themselves to interminable turmoil. Syriza have been in a much weaker position, as they inevitably have to blink rather than risk all out civil conflict in their own country. Power without responsibility is the dream of neoliberalism, one which is rapidly becoming reality. I suspect we will see a decided softening in European attitudes to authoritarianism and dictatorship in the coming years, though obviously the ECB won't be doing any of the ultimate enforcement itself.<br /><br />If only a British PM was trying to reform the EU in a socialist direction.... <br /> Igor Belanovnoreply@blogger.com