I really enjoyed the group discussion during this week’s
class. It definitely helped me to better understand the 2x2. I also liked that
the groups presented examples from the “real world”.
During the groups presentations a little discussion about
the EU came up and I would like to explain my point of view a little better. I
can only somewhat agree to the idea that because of Brexit there will be better
chances in the EU to come to agreements, especially when it comes to economic
issues. The reason why I can only somewhat agree is because of the rise in
anti-EU sentiment. In several EU member states anti-EU parties are gaining
momentum, including Germany, France, the Netherlands and Austria. Germany’s AfD
party has gained enough seats in some state elections, and is now in their
Landtags. In Germany, the AfD started gaining momentum during the financial
crisis, especially during the Greece crisis. They actually called themselves
the Anti-Euro party. Of course, now the party wins more and more voters because
of the refugee crisis.
In Germany elections will be held next year. If the AfD
gains enough votes (and at the moment it looks like it will), it will make it
into the Bundestag. This will make it hard for the new Chancellor (whoever it
will be) and her/his party to make pro-EU/pro-Euro decisions. This in turn will
influence Germany’s decisions in the EU. Germany is only one example, of
course, but the Netherlands, Austria, France etc. will face the same problems.
This will make it a lot harder for the EU to come to agreements, including
economic decisions.
Brexit was really a bad decision and will have consequences
for the EU. Brexit increases the chances that another country might follow England
and decide to leave the EU.
Thank you for sharing your opinion on Brexit and its affect on the EU. I honestly had no idea that there was such a momentum growing behind anti-European Union groups nor that they continue to grow with the refugee crisis. For your foreshadow of the next German election, it sounds like Great Britain was the first domino in a series of EU member states which are now very unstable.
ReplyDeleteDo you think the EU can remain if so many of the strongest states remove themselves? i.e. if the union is eventually made up of the smaller states, do you think it could feasibly still be a productive governance mechanism for those states?
Also, I know there was a significant distinction in the education levels of those who voted for and against Brexit. Do you think it is a similar distinction among those who are loyal to the AfD parties across these countries?
Katherine,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments. I honestly do not think that other strong states like Germany and France are going to follow Great Britain. Even if these anti-Europe parties are able to enter state parliaments, they know too well that leaving the EU could have negative consequences, especially economic. After all, the EU was created because of the economic advantages member states of the EC were experiencing. If, however, for some reason the stronger states would decide to leave, then I do not think that the EU would be able to exist.
Yes, there was a significant distinction in the education levels of those who voted for Brexit and those who voted against. The yes-voters were primarily older people living in rural areas, whereas younger people and college educated people voted against Brexit. Unfortunately, there was also a quite large number of the younger and college educated people who did not vote at all.
Concerning the AfD in Germany, yes, there is a similar distinction among those who vote for them and those who vote for other parties. AfD voters are primarily older people and/or unemployed people.