RITE & REASON:AT A time when the European project is looking shakier and more vulnerable than ever, we must remember that it was founded on the smouldering ruins of the fascist barbarism that had gripped the European continent.
It was felt a new beginning was needed, built upon an alternative vision of peace, co-operation, economic partnership and solidarity between nations in a European homeland respecting diversities of language, race, religion and culture.
With generosity of heart and imagination the European Union’s founders believed it possible to leave behind old national rivalries. A greater human flourishing would flow from increased economic and political integration and through embracing the principle of the “comity” of nations and thereby encoding mutual respect and cordiality in the very soul of Europe.
There have been significant changes over these last 50 years that must be factored into our thinking. A far higher percentage of goods are now traded internationally leading to the trend towards globalisation. This development means market forces often dwarf the power of nation states and there are few countervailing influences.
If countries respond to these more intense economic pressures by lowering their social costs in terms of health, education and other public provision, they may obtain a brief competitive advantage, but it is in the context of a race to the bottom with all the loss of social cohesion and erosion of civility this would entail.
A far better strategy is for nations to collaborate to ensure decent social standards within trading blocs and internationally. Then the benefits of globalisation by way of economies of scale would lift the living standards of the poor (as it often has done) without deleterious side effects.
To achieve such ends and avoid fragmentation Europe needs stronger democratic institutions and a greater harmony of both fiscal and social policies. These measures are not only morally compelling, they are also precisely what is needed to ensure the viability of a common currency.
If market makers saw this kind of resolve, it would do much to diminish debt management issues. There is of course a quid pro quo to be struck, whereby nations accepting help with indebtedness need to accept appropriate fiscal measures.
European Commission president José Manuel Barroso, in his proposal for eurobonds, warns that “without stronger governance it will be difficult if not impossible to sustain a common currency”.
What has all this got to do with the Christian message? Quite a lot! What greater solidarity could God show than by visiting us in the man of love from “Galilee of the nations”. When He sojourned among us, He dined with the rich but also sought out the poor and marginalised, speaking of one banquet and inviting everyone that thirsts to drink. Dealing generously with debt remission was on His agenda. As for national boundaries, there are those cryptic references in the Gospels as to how He often preferred to travel along the border route and occasions when He showed solidarity and favour to foreigners.
I venture to say he would have been a good European!
Germany must recognise that a gracious dealing with the complications of indebtedness is an act of service on its part which carries with it an historic opportunity to unite a great continent.
The dire economic conditions and punitive reparations exacted from Germany after 1918 crippled its currency and its present hesitations and unease reflect that experience. The current situation is totally different. Germany has the economic strength and the cultural and moral depth to reach outwards and help sustain the unification of Europe.
A spiritually strong Europe must never be insular. We can be proud that as one of Europe’s smaller nations, even in trying economic circumstances, Irish soldiers are once again on duty in Lebanon.
Rev John Marsden is Dean of St Brigid’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, Kildare.