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Deep within me lays a conviction that from the EU’s sick bed it is capable of seeing what its contemporaries stand no chance of finding from the mountain top. The onus thus falls on us not only to reconcile Europe's need for inspiration with the world's need for Europe, but also, the imperatives of economics with political intricacies. While in the case of the latter, synergies have become critically necessary because the spheres of politics and economics are mutually reinforcing, not mutually incompatible, caution is required in the former because the more sluggish Europe gets in meeting expectations, the more enhanced the world’s adaptation to a global system without European dynamism becomes…this is not necessarily a good thing. Working to reverse this ill trend will, no doubt, provide answers to questions insinuating that the EU is *hiding behind effects to keep out of sight of their causes.
This, then, is the what. Now, then, for the how. Rise up therefore, dear Europe, quit writing about neighbourhood gettogethers, PTAs, and the like, and substitute your influence in international affairs that depends on what goes on inside the EU with home grown strategies and policies towards the rest of the world. The European economy is the only pillar that keeps the European project standing – lose it and not even the EU would wish to apply for membership in itself. It makes sense then to take full advantage of all comparative advantages and strengths. This calls for a concerted effort from businesses and policy makers alike. Since it is clear that structural reforms initiated by decision makers are necessary to ‘unleash’ the potential of Europe’s economy over the long-term, a good communications strategy will, at a stroke, deal with restoring citizens’ confidence that has been eroded by repeated setbacks. Confidence in such reforms can be restored by keeping interim targets in view while ensuring that their costs and benefits are made known to all parties concerned before hand. Europe must be ready to shoulder the responsibilities that come with world power ambitions. European companies, on the other hand, need only to look farther than usual to find that taking responsibility in the 21st century has become the shortcut to the top. In America, for instance, GE has resolved not to be judged by profits alone, but by its ability to meet the responsibility of saving the planet, and profitably for that matter. By this singular act, “GE is sticking its neck out and, among the most influential big American businesses, it has taken something of a lead.” Look also toward the forces driving the economies of the new Asian giants and it becomes obvious that Europe has absolutely nothing to lose by getting solutions to market long before any competition realizes there is a market: rather than wait till the prices are low enough to secure a market, Japanese forecasters are inexorably attacking solar energy technology now, all in an attempt to pull down costs much faster.
Europe, long before now, raised and equipped the most capable managers with high-level European experience that can put the continent back on track, although keeping them within has been problematic as they benefit more from running the shows for a considerable bulk of American companies. “But Europe badly needs to keep its own talent and exploit it to the full […] people to whom the boundaries between nations mean no more than those between departments.” The direct implication of these is that Europe could well be on its way to laying the foundations for a faster growing economy that absorbs more of the world’s goods, thus making it easier, for instance, for the US to slow consumption and close its budget deficits without risking global meltdown.
As structural problems of domestic governance in individual member-states of the EU interact powerfully with the highest level of European politics, it is expected that fresh strategies will emanate that will consolidate the policy formulation and implementation capacity of the EU. This will stimulate cooperation from others and enhance the performance of international institutions. Spill-over effects could create a linkage to the issue of external relations where Europe’s emphasis on structural policies, particularly the normative and institutional infrastructure of a civilized international order, will determine the strength of global governance. Ultimately, not only will principles cease to be assumed irrelevant in the context of efficiency, Europe should also cease to be found *hiding behind facts to keep out of sight of principles.
In spite of The Economist’s prediction of a further declining European economy in The World in 2006, stretching to 2026, this surely is no time to pay attention to demoralizing ‘facts’. Neither should Europe entertain unnecessary comparisons especially in its transatlantic relations. These distractions can only lead to a loss of confidence in the future. The challenges that Europe faces today should be considered too trivial – albeit not literally – to overshadow the consistently positive global economic outlook of the last couple of years. What the EU needs is an uncompromising political will that will go anywhere as long as it is forward; attempting a meticulous reorganization of the seemingly opaque decision-making structures; aggressively attacking those issues that bother European citizens the most; focusing efforts on all comparative advantages and strengths; appreciating the beauty and effectiveness of multiculturalism, in the European context, as against mostly feeble unilateral measures; addressing the clash of values and expectations that arise from massive immigration – Europe must strive to be more tolerant of minorities; and taking the lead in meeting the needs of impoverished areas like Africa where the living standards of an European cow outweigh those of an average African child. Then will the world be convinced that Europe had been laying strong foundations all along with the stones that have been shot at it. For all that it is worth, Robert Frost must have been staring at the flag of the EU when he said “we dance around in a ring and suppose; but the secret sits in the middle and knows.” The EU cannot afford to celebrate blindness at the expense of a forward oriented global system, neither can I tell that to ‘my kids and their friends’.
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Writer Profile
Terhemba Aindigh
Terhemba Aindigh is currently with the Nigerian National Youth Service Corps. Having obtained a first degree in International Relations at Covenant University, Nigeria, with a flair for writing professionally, Terhemba enjoys making commentaries on issues that command worldwide relevance.
His essays have earned him an enviable reputation both nationally and internationally. Some of his writings have ensured his active participation in international conferences like the prestigious St. Gallen Symposium, South American Business Forum, and the Model World Trade Organization. He has also been awarded for exceptional writing by the World Bank and the World Federation of United Nations' Associations.
Most recently, Terhemba was announced as one of the 15 winners of an international essay, video and poster competition sponsored by the World Federation of United Nations Associations. This ensured his participation in the Students for a Nuclear Weapons-Free World Seminar, held at the United Nations Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland. Consequently, he and the other winners were inspired to birth a global anti-nuclear weapons youth network.
As a founding member of the Students for a Nuclear Weapons-Free World Youth Initiative, Terhemba and his colleagues have taken up the immense responsibility to help in realizing a world free of nuclear weapons.
At present, he is doing what he loves to do best: writing more essays to compete in the likes of the Japanese Foreign Trade Council and Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library essay competitions, amongst others.
His ultimate ambition is to attain the heights of great men like Kofi Annan, who have made no little contribution to ensuring that our world is peaceful and just.
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