It may have been two over two decades since the end of the Cold War, the great ideological struggle of the last century between capitalism and communism, but there is a new ideological competition between American neo-liberalism and European ‘welfarism’. Europe is caught right in the crossfire; both geographically and ideologically in between the USA and former USSR. What we are facing is not so much a ‘cold war’ as an ‘invisible struggle’, a struggle that permeates our economic management, our politics and our society; right down to Europe’s, and especially Britain’s, soul. Despite what some American preacher has been saying, the ‘end of history’ is not upon us; neither the rapture or in the sense Fukuyama preached.
European social democracy is at its lowest ebb ever, with only five nations not governed by conservatives (four and a half if one considers co-habitation in Cyprus). What has happened? Why has it happened? Social democratic parties must bear some of the blame; we lost our ways, drifted from being a movement and started being a party disconnected from the electorate. Many, such as Hungary and the Czech Republic, are mired in corruption; others such as France and Denmark decide to play dirty. We all stopped believing. Our lack of solidarity and passion has been catastrophic. This is our first challenge; to give the hydra of 27 heads one voice. Then we can stand up to those who hurt our people. Our will is seen on the streets of Athens, Barcelona and London and our steel is on the nib of the pen.
But the American way has not yet triumphed and we will never give in; discontent at the current system is evident. Look to the streets. We must put up a fight, and for that Labour needs to unite with its European neighbours to stand up and say “no”. No we will not be slaves to the economy, no we will not compromise the welfare of the people to save banks, no we will not slash and burn what we have built. We will defend our European heritage, our ‘welfarist’ beliefs and our welfare states.
Who is this “enemy” then? International bankers, speculators, markets and organisations, in particular the World Trade Organisation, the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, and the parties that support them – the neo-liberal, economic laissez faire, new right, Reaganist parties.
Parties that support the American model can roll back the state all they want; we’ll roll it right back out – let the people decide; do they want private hospitals where basic treatment becomes unaffordable, private schools where a decent education is the preserve of the rich, private prisons which release gangsters instead of employable citizens? Do they want the elderly to freeze, the poor to starve and the oppressed exploited? I believe that Britain does not want that; we do not want the American model because their beliefs are incompatible with our society, both present and ideal. This is about where we situate Britain; west to the land of the free markets, easy living and “me first” or east to the land of social justice and balance, of compromise and deliberation.
Britain, and Europe at large, is caught in a web of impeding American ideology. International organisations, particularly the WTO, World Bank, IMF, UN and NATO, are all vehicles for American ideology that have overstretched their authority. The IMF is dictating the policy of Greece, Portugal and Spain by encouraging deregulation, privatisation and competition – the unholy trinity of neo-liberalism. While North Africa erupts in democratic fervour, Europe has lost it to banks. The IMF was originally set up as an auditor for accounts but now is governing domestic policy without a damn towards the social ramifications; let unemployment soar, let poverty reign, burden the tax payers with debt as long as the banks are safe.
The American model puts the economy first, a tempting prospect as a healthy economy can justifiably help people; but the European model puts people first, the economy must serve the people – otherwise, what’s the point? Today the PIGS nations are in the gaze of international bankers, tomorrow the UK. There’s no way Greece can stand up alone and refuse to pay back its loans, but with the rest of the EU we can stand up to American ideology, to the banks and the international crooks and refuse to pay. They will lose billions, but that’s their fault for lending irresponsibly. An economic deficit is no excuse for a moral deficit. This is the direction we must take Britain; away from the interests of the banks and back to the interests of the people and extend this mission to cover the whole EU.
The American way has seeped from our economic thinking into our society. Contrary to the anti-immigration voice, the greatest threat to British culture is not from immigration or Islam but from American cultural hegemony. Fast food, proms, malls, rampant consumerism, individualism, “me-first”; this is what has damaged British culture and communities. Competition as a basis for the economy has seeped down to become the basis of society. A quote from a bumper sticker; “The one who dies with the most toys wins”. European and British society is based on co-operation; there is little room for competition.
There is nothing inherently wrong with American neo-liberalism, and I am by no means anti-American. But such a creed is incompatible with European values. They inherently are against state intervention; it’s in their history and their blood. We can use the word “socialism” without being burned alive. Let American ideology govern America and European ideology govern Europe. Most importantly, we should accept our differences; the last thing we need is another Cold War. And that is why Europe needs its own voice and ways of doing things.
The EU is the body that can step in and stand up to international markets. Greece cannot refuse to pay back the banks without a heavy handed backlash, but a united Europe can. The EU was not set up for the people but for the government, it has been gradually shifting towards the people through the introduction of elected Parliament and soon elected Commission, this is a chance for it to put its foot down for the people of Europe. This is the chance for the EU as a whole to unite and bring some order to proceedings; end speculation, end reckless loans, end the policy of putting the interests of the banks first.
From this, a new continental consensus is needed to rival and replace the Washington Consensus. Our consensus will be based on responsibility, welfare and co-operation. Britain needs Europe to overcome the banks. Our basis should be, or rather, must be, ‘welfarism’. We are the land of the welfare states; the land that puts people before profit and rights before riches; the land that leaves no child behind, no pensioner alone, no man in poverty; we do not fear our state but see it as a tool to help society. Our continental beliefs must be defined, defended and practised but it can only prevail with solidarity between our states; a place Britain belongs.
Britain must choose. It is not a choice between red and blue, socialist and conservative, or even USA and Europe; the choice is ‘welfareist’ state or the neo-liberal state, freedom or responsibility, co-operation or competition. Sic Semper Tyrannus was the call of the American Revolution against tyranny; we face a new tyrant in the form of international profiteers, a new fight that Europe cannot afford to lose.
Britain belongs in Europe; we need to take up our seat, lead the way and turn from the immoral and incompatible American model. We are European, let’s start acting like it.
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