Europe,France and Germany

collective collective obligations versus obligations versus national interestsnational interests

Principles and implications What have been the principles behind What have been the principles behind

European Union, the historical European Union, the historical circumstances which led to their circumstances which led to their adoption and the measures which have adoption and the measures which have resulted?resulted?

What have been the effects of these What have been the effects of these principles and measures on the principles and measures on the economics, cultures and ways of life in economics, cultures and ways of life in France and Germany? France and Germany?

The premise

That there are overriding historical and That there are overriding historical and political reasons for France and political reasons for France and Germany to align themselves with Germany to align themselves with Europe… BUTEurope… BUT

That this imperative, linked to That this imperative, linked to unforeseen external events, have had unforeseen external events, have had paradoxical consequences for the paradoxical consequences for the national lives of the two states.national lives of the two states.

Basic tenets of European Union [1]

The moral/historical imperative ofThe moral/historical imperative of

post war construction:post war construction:

- - Churchill’s Zurich Churchill’s Zurich speech(1946)speech(1946)

-- Congress of The Hague Congress of The Hague (1948)(1948)

-- Preamble to the ECSC Preamble to the ECSC (1951)…(1951)…

Basic tenets of European Union [2]

The collapse of colonialism…The collapse of colonialism…

‘‘France has ever ceased using, in various ways, France has ever ceased using, in various ways, the European enterprise – based on her the European enterprise – based on her reconciliation with Germany – as a vehicle for reconciliation with Germany – as a vehicle for her ambition to exert influence in the world’ her ambition to exert influence in the world’ (Quermonne 2001)(Quermonne 2001)

Basic tenets of European Union [3]

The link between economic The link between economic management and democracymanagement and democracy

The Bretton-Woods Agreement The Bretton-Woods Agreement (1944)(1944)The rise of monetarism (1980- )The rise of monetarism (1980- )Capitalism versus Capitalism Capitalism versus Capitalism

(Albert 1991)(Albert 1991)

Basic tenets of European Union [4]

‘‘Economic Stability’, ‘Cohesion’ Economic Stability’, ‘Cohesion’ and ’Convergence’.and ’Convergence’.

-- The ERM (1983-1993)The ERM (1983-1993)

-- The Treaty of European Union The Treaty of European Union - - Maastricht (1992) Maastricht (1992)

Progression to Monetary Union - The Maastricht Criteria Annual rate of inflation no more than 1.5% above Annual rate of inflation no more than 1.5% above

that of the average of the three countries with the that of the average of the three countries with the lowest ratelowest rate

Public deficit less than 3% of GNPPublic deficit less than 3% of GNP Maintain narrow range of fluctuation – no Maintain narrow range of fluctuation – no

devaluations for two yearsdevaluations for two years Accumulated public debt less than 60% of GNPAccumulated public debt less than 60% of GNP Long-Term interest rates not more than 2% higher Long-Term interest rates not more than 2% higher

than the average of the rates of the countries than the average of the rates of the countries having the greatest price stabilityhaving the greatest price stability

Basic tenets of European Union [5]

Citizenship and the maintenance of human Citizenship and the maintenance of human rights (Treaties of Maastricht [1992] and rights (Treaties of Maastricht [1992] and Amsterdam [1997])Amsterdam [1997])

The improvement of social protection in the The improvement of social protection in the workplace (Treaty of Maastricht [1992])workplace (Treaty of Maastricht [1992])

Periods of growth

1945-19731945-1973 ‘les trente glorieuses’‘les trente glorieuses’

1983-19921983-1992 ‘Delors’ Europe’‘Delors’ Europe’

Points of Crisis ‘‘the empty chair’ (1965)the empty chair’ (1965) the oil crises (1973)/(1978)the oil crises (1973)/(1978) shifts in government policy - France’s shifts in government policy - France’s

socialist experiment (1981-83)socialist experiment (1981-83) German reunification (1990)German reunification (1990) Speculation and recession (1993)Speculation and recession (1993) Failed attempts to reduce public Failed attempts to reduce public

spending – France (1995)spending – France (1995) 9/11 (2001)9/11 (2001) Iraq (2004) Iraq (2004)

Europe at the turning point:the challenges for France and Germany An ageing populationAn ageing population Excessive labour costs combined with Excessive labour costs combined with

high expectationshigh expectations Major regional disparitiesMajor regional disparities The countryside in crisisThe countryside in crisis State budget deficitsState budget deficits