As long as the only mechanism for amendment is another international treaty, the EU is an international organization. En un viejo país ineficiente, algo así como España entre dos guerras civiles, poseer una casa y poca hacienda y memoria ninguna. -- Gil de Biedma
Article V, U.S. Constitution
The Constitution of the United States * * * * * * * * * * Article V The Congress, whenever two thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this Constitution, or, on the application of the legislatures of two thirds of the several states, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the several states, or by conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the Congress; provided that no amendment which may be made prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any manner affect the first and fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first article; and that no state, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate.
* * * * * * * * * *
Article V
The Congress, whenever two thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this Constitution, or, on the application of the legislatures of two thirds of the several states, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the several states, or by conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the Congress; provided that no amendment which may be made prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any manner affect the first and fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first article; and that no state, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate.
Would the US be an international organization if only the Senate could propose amendments? A vote for PES is a vote for EPP! A vote for EPP is a vote for PES! Support the coalition, vote EPP-PES in 2009!
Another point is that the current arrangement doesn't recognise a single European sovereign entity (the "people of Europe") but rather a number of sovereign entities entering into an agreement. En un viejo país ineficiente, algo así como España entre dos guerras civiles, poseer una casa y poca hacienda y memoria ninguna. -- Gil de Biedma
I was writing the same point below.. je je je
A pleasure I therefore claim to show, not how men think in myths, but how myths operate in men's minds without their being aware of the fact. Levi-Strauss, Claude
When I wrote the comment about the senate I assumed that the early senate was an assembly appointed by the State Governors. However, I have been unable to find how the early (pre-election) senators were appointed, so if anyone has a link...? A vote for PES is a vote for EPP! A vote for EPP is a vote for PES! Support the coalition, vote EPP-PES in 2009!
Still, in 10 years we will have to start drafting a new treaty.
This pseudo-constitution seems rather functional even for 40 countries.
Why do you think it would need another step closer to the full political union in 10 years? What would malfunction?
You mean we are closer than I think because the EU institutions can change teh treaty without teh acceptance of the member-state? Or because it would be easier than I think to create the European congress-head of states (senate)-presidency (executive=comission) structures?
At the end of the day, the treaty could say that it needs the ratification of all national parliaments, and then it would be no different than now.. and I would not call it a constitution.
Back in the 18th century... not so much (cf. the Holy Roman Empire's "electors"). En un viejo país ineficiente, algo así como España entre dos guerras civiles, poseer una casa y poca hacienda y memoria ninguna. -- Gil de Biedma
