WILL IT BE WORTH SURRENDERING YOUR INDEPENDENCE FOR A MEMBERSHIP IN THE EUROPEAN MONETARY UNION?
(Series 2, Article3)

The unanimous/majority vote-how long can a union of 25 individual nations expect to govern under a system of complete or in some cases near complete agreement? Then who will and under what conditions, shall a small minority rule for the entire union?

The European Union came into being as one of three communities established by the Treaties of Rome in March of 1957. When the organization consisted of six original signatories; Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and West Germany the voting process was one of cooperative accord. The main themes of creating a common market, phasing out internal trade barriers, abolishing obstacles to free movement of labor, finances and corporate enterprise became key objectives the six original signatories seemed in concert with. As the union grew to its fifteen member dimensions prior to the singing of the Maastricht requirements, “states” as the individual nations now were now being referred to, began to take on a more localized prospective. A strict policy of adhering to Maastricht requirements, the blueprint for European integration, necessities that each country meets a uniform criteria of inflation, debt, and deficit stability. Due to an acceleration of extended membership to include ten new “states” to the EU family, there is the propensity for a real stranglehold on the growth throughout Europe. Therefore the ability of governing such a comprehensive group of diverse societies and cultures intent on the sharing of one currency under unanimous or even majority agreement will prove inconceivable over time, meaning someone must lead.

Let us start with one of the most fundamental governing bodies with in the “family” and what shall eventually prove to be an obstacle to the unanimous/majority vote policy, the European Central Bank. Established in 1998 the bank is governed by three decision making branches. The six-member Executive Board is responsible for operational business and is considered senior in statue as well as the most influential of the three bodies. Next in line of importance is the seventeen-members of the Governing Council which formulates monetary policy and which consist of all six members of the Executive Board and the governors of the central banks of the so called “in countries”. Finally the twenty-one member General Council which also consist of the full six-member Executive board together with the governors of the central bank with its member states and is responsible for issues concerning the relationship between the Euro bloc and the rest of the Union states. Of the three bodies only Governing Counsil acts by majority. As such, keep in mind, the Executive Board consist of members of the largest of the pre-Maastricht states, OF THESE SEVERAL ARE IN VIOLATION OF THE STABILITY PACT. According their agenda as to what defines proper monetary actions for the entire Union will most likely become the norm. Therefore, certain states can expect to see consistent monetary policy that favors their economic well-being, while others may suffer under a system of less than democratic accountability?

Let us take a quick glance at the constitution (as this will be the subject of the next article) At first though it would seem an excellent concept that such a fundamental system of laws and principles be approved by majority vote of the people for each of the 25 Union states. But in truth, because of the necessity of unanimous state acceptance required by the Union bylaws governing bodies have decided not to chance a state wide referendum and rather mandate the parliamentary ratification process, thereby eliminating the democratic process evoking once again, the need for unanimity.

Tax parity- Germany and France have continually warned several of the ten new entrants into the Union family that “tax dumping”, in Gerhardt Schroeder’s words, would lead to “consequences”, meaning the possibility of a loss in economic subsidies. Here it should be noted that the unanimous voting has its place within the Union structure as a means of resistance against the bully states and their desire to redefine the voting powers. To create a system of empowerment based on population, financial prowess or land mass would rest control of a united democratic society in the hands of as few as three member states of the full 25 nation Union (provided the UK drops out for lack of ratification of the constitution). It should not be the German or French Governments who decide the Poles do not pay enough in taxes, but rather the fact that their own citizens may be paying too much.
In closing, unanimous voting on such landmark legislation as a constitution or an individual state’s ability to tax or not tax, must be, in a truly democratic system, held sacred by all. Only time will tell whether or not such a system can be maintained that allows all voices of the “united” European Union to be so freely heard.

-THE WARNING WINDS of ARMAGEDDON-
A novel depicting the path by which the future government’s of Germany and France shall develop a grand plan in their quest for world supremacy through the occupation of the European Union
(Available around 2nd of May)