Comments on: The drafting of the constitution http://fistfulofeuros.net/afoe/the-european-union/the-drafting-of-the-constitution/ European Opinion Sat, 10 Jan 2009 04:27:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Bob http://fistfulofeuros.net/afoe/the-european-union/the-drafting-of-the-constitution/#comment-1877 Bob Tue, 09 Dec 2003 04:40:57 +0000 http://fistfulofeuros.net/wordpress/?p=159#comment-1877 From Gisela Stuart, Britain's official representative, on the convention drafting the constitution: "From my experience at the convention, it is clear that the real reason for the constitution - and it's main impact - is the political deepening of the Union. This objective was brought home to me when I was told on numerous occasions: 'You and the British may not accept this yet, but you will in a few years' time.' "Not once in the 16 months I spent on the convention did representatives question whether deeper integration is what the people of Europe want..." - from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3299905.stm See also The Guardian report with the introduction to Gisela Stuart's Fabian pamphlet at: http://politics.guardian.co.uk/eu/story/0,9061,1102439,00.html "In a Fabian Society pamphlet to be published on Wednesday, Ms Stuart says the draft, prepared over 16 months by the convention headed by Vale'ry Giscard D'Estaing, a former French president, is based on a structure reflecting the political and economic attitudes of 50 years ago. "'The real issue to be addressed is whether this model for Europe is any longer the most suitable,' she says. 'I used to enjoy driving my old Mini but as it became unroadworthy I knew something else was needed.'" - from the Financial Times for 8 December (subscription required). What comes across to me is that the drafting of the Constitution was very much a top-down affair in which it was taken for granted that convention members would automatically endorse whatever Giscard D'Estaing passed down. From Gisela Stuart, Britain’s official representative, on the convention drafting the constitution:

“From my experience at the convention, it is clear that the real reason for the constitution - and it’s main impact - is the political deepening of the Union. This objective was brought home to me when I was told on numerous occasions: ‘You and the British may not accept this yet, but you will in a few years’ time.’

“Not once in the 16 months I spent on the convention did representatives question whether deeper integration is what the people of Europe want…”

- from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3299905.stm

See also The Guardian report with the introduction to Gisela Stuart’s Fabian pamphlet at: http://politics.guardian.co.uk/eu/story/0,9061,1102439,00.html

“In a Fabian Society pamphlet to be published on Wednesday, Ms Stuart says the draft, prepared over 16 months by the convention headed by Vale’ry Giscard D’Estaing, a former French president, is based on a structure reflecting the political and economic attitudes of 50 years ago.

“‘The real issue to be addressed is whether this model for Europe is any longer the most suitable,’ she says. ‘I used to enjoy driving my old Mini but as it became unroadworthy I knew something else was needed.’”

- from the Financial Times for 8 December (subscription required).

What comes across to me is that the drafting of the Constitution was very much a top-down affair in which it was taken for granted that convention members would automatically endorse whatever Giscard D’Estaing passed down.

]]> By: Patrick (G) http://fistfulofeuros.net/afoe/the-european-union/the-drafting-of-the-constitution/#comment-1876 Patrick (G) Tue, 09 Dec 2003 03:07:08 +0000 http://fistfulofeuros.net/wordpress/?p=159#comment-1876 Antoni, You're right about about the constitution and unemployment. But I think that Bob's right to ask should/would the constitution address fraud. If the constitution does not address the inherent eventual onset of corruption, that only serves to shorten its useful lifetime. The American Constitution attempts to do so by separating Legislative, Executive, and Judicial powers and a free press ...and that's working real well these days isn't it ? Antoni,
You’re right about about the constitution and unemployment. But I think that Bob’s right to ask should/would the constitution address fraud.

If the constitution does not address the inherent eventual onset of corruption, that only serves to shorten its useful lifetime.

The American Constitution attempts to do so by separating Legislative, Executive, and Judicial powers and a free press …and that’s working real well these days isn’t it ?

]]> By: Doug http://fistfulofeuros.net/afoe/the-european-union/the-drafting-of-the-constitution/#comment-1875 Doug Tue, 09 Dec 2003 01:21:29 +0000 http://fistfulofeuros.net/wordpress/?p=159#comment-1875 The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung has been faithfully running a box several times a week in its front news section about the technical details of one bit of the Constitution or another. I only have time for one German paper a day, but it's a very serious national broadsheet. Would suspect that the Sueddeutsche and Handelsblatt have had good coverage, too. So there's definitely been serious media attention in EU Europe's most populous country. The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung has been faithfully running a box several times a week in its front news section about the technical details of one bit of the Constitution or another. I only have time for one German paper a day, but it’s a very serious national broadsheet. Would suspect that the Sueddeutsche and Handelsblatt have had good coverage, too. So there’s definitely been serious media attention in EU Europe’s most populous country.

]]> By: Gawain http://fistfulofeuros.net/afoe/the-european-union/the-drafting-of-the-constitution/#comment-1874 Gawain Mon, 08 Dec 2003 01:47:31 +0000 http://fistfulofeuros.net/wordpress/?p=159#comment-1874 Have any of you read Gisela Stuart's piece in the Sunday Times? Given that she is a slavishly loyal Blairite, and was a member of the 13 strong Preasidium to the European Convention it makes startling reading. her final words should give you a flavour of the piece, "I repeat. The Government does not have to accept it". Sadly I cannot link to it as it is behind the subscription firewall but I advise you to take a look Have any of you read Gisela Stuart’s piece in the Sunday Times? Given that she is a slavishly loyal Blairite, and was a member of the 13 strong Preasidium to the European Convention it makes startling reading. her final words should give you a flavour of the piece, “I repeat. The Government does not have to accept it”. Sadly I cannot link to it as it is behind the subscription firewall but I advise you to take a look

]]> By: Antoni Jaume http://fistfulofeuros.net/afoe/the-european-union/the-drafting-of-the-constitution/#comment-1873 Antoni Jaume Sun, 07 Dec 2003 15:51:18 +0000 http://fistfulofeuros.net/wordpress/?p=159#comment-1873 Bob, I think that those matters are not to be tackled in any Constitution, since their causes vary with time and circumstances. DSW Bob,
I think that those matters are not to be tackled in any Constitution, since their causes vary with time and circumstances.

DSW

]]> By: Bob http://fistfulofeuros.net/afoe/the-european-union/the-drafting-of-the-constitution/#comment-1872 Bob Sun, 07 Dec 2003 12:24:54 +0000 http://fistfulofeuros.net/wordpress/?p=159#comment-1872 Two straight questions: How will the new Constitution help to reduce the persistently high unemployment rate in the Eurozone? How will the new Constitution help to curb fraud in the EU Commission? Two straight questions:

How will the new Constitution help to reduce the persistently high unemployment rate in the Eurozone?

How will the new Constitution help to curb fraud in the EU Commission?

]]> By: MAO http://fistfulofeuros.net/afoe/the-european-union/the-drafting-of-the-constitution/#comment-1871 MAO Sun, 07 Dec 2003 04:19:54 +0000 http://fistfulofeuros.net/wordpress/?p=159#comment-1871 EuroSavant - "Commentary on the European non-English-language press" - continues to cover the ongoing EU draft Constitution Intergovernmental Conference (IGC), by translating and commenting on press reports in the European non-English-language press. For example, I covered the (triumphant) view of the latest foreign ministers' meeting in Naples in the Polish press here. And I'm preparing for a number of days of intense weblogging next week, during and after the upcoming decisive European Union summit in Brussels. It should be a wild ride - and success is by no means assured. Stay tuned! EuroSavant - “Commentary on the European non-English-language press” - continues to cover the ongoing EU draft Constitution Intergovernmental Conference (IGC), by translating and commenting on press reports in the European non-English-language press. For example, I covered the (triumphant) view of the latest foreign ministers’ meeting in Naples in the Polish press here. And I’m preparing for a number of days of intense weblogging next week, during and after the upcoming decisive European Union summit in Brussels. It should be a wild ride - and success is by no means assured. Stay tuned!

]]> By: BossaNova http://fistfulofeuros.net/afoe/the-european-union/the-drafting-of-the-constitution/#comment-1870 BossaNova Sun, 07 Dec 2003 04:04:27 +0000 http://fistfulofeuros.net/wordpress/?p=159#comment-1870 I agree that politics and the european institutions may need the constitution.. but not the people.. only when the european people feel that they need the constitution, a constitution must be written.. now is just too soon.. I agree that politics and the european institutions may need the constitution.. but not the people..

only when the european people feel that they need the constitution, a constitution must be written..

now is just too soon..

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