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Will the EU be the death of democracy?

31 May 2012
Format: 
Public Debate
Language: 
English
Level: 
Other
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London, United Kingdom

Details

Type: 
Public Debate
Location: 
London
United Kingdom

Institute of Ideas public meeting

Will the EU be the death of democracy? 
Thursday 31 May at 7pm, 
London House, Goodenough College, Mecklenburgh Square, London WC1N 2AB

The debate is part of the Crisis in Europe debate series, organized by the European Network of Houses for Debate "Time to Talk", with the support of the Open Society Institute.   In association with Goodenough College. 

 
The speakers are: 
  • Brian M. Carney, member, The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board and editor of The Wall Street Journal Europe’s editorial page
  • Brian Denny, convenor, No2EU:Yes to Democracy
  • Declan Ganley, founder and chairman, Libertas
  • Brendan O'Neill, editor, spiked; Linda Yueh, fellow in economics, Oxford.  
 
Will the EU be the death of democracy? 
The election of François Hollande in France with the cry “austerity can no longer be inevitable” prompted an immediate warning from the European Commission and from Germany that the fiscal pact and austerity measures agreed by former President Sarkozy with the EU were not up for negotiation: that they remain binding whatever the election results. The elections in Greece registered a massive rejection of the mainstream parties but put no new leadership in place and have forced a rerun of the election. At the end of this month Irish voters will once again take part in a referendum from which the EU expects only one answer: a yes to the EU fiscal pact.
 
Are we seeing a wholesale rejection of the economics of austerity in favour of growth? Are there credible plans for growth that have won the support of electorates? Or do these votes register no more than impotence and frustration? Represent a head in the sand denial of reality? One thing we can be sure of is the massive erosion of support for mainstream political parties but does that necessarily imply real support for alternative political programmes? When the people say no to the politics of ‘there is no alternative’ does that mean there is an alternative or just people saying no?
 
Or are critics of the European project simply advocating a pernicious parochialism and nationalist outlook as defenders of the EU often assert?  And if so, is the EU in its current form the only way of ensuring an integrated Europe? Just what is happening to democracy under the EU and what democrats should do in response? Did the EU kill democracy? Or is it being reborn on the streets of Europe?
 
In light of these questions and the perpetual Euro-crisis, the Institute of Ideas will be holding a public debate entitled: ‘Will the EU be the death of democracy’ on Thursday 31 May at Goodenough College, London.
 
For more Information on the event as well how to purchase tickets please visit: http://www.instituteofideas.com/events/EUdeathdemocracy.html

Contact

Will the EU be the death of democracy?
London
United Kingdom