by whataboutbob
Fri Oct 21st, 2005 at 05:55:54 AM EST
In Der Spiegel Online is this article: Gerhard Schröder Fires off his Parting Shot in which is a statement by him published in Die Zeit newspaper:
The societies of the European continent are based on consensus. This combines the desire to be economically efficient with the wish for policies which guarantee social cohesion. People are ready to change but they want these changes to be judiciously carried out and socially balanced. This aim was backed up by the German election results on September 18. We can only maintain long-term social stability if economic rationalization is complemented by a sense of solidarity. This is a necessary precondition for a successful economy as well as for tolerant coexistence in a diverse and open society. (...)
I have to say Schroeder clearly states what we have been saying on EuroTrib: we can have a good economic climate in Europe without sacrificing social responsibility. Right on. The rest of his statement is below:
In Europe we find ourselves faced with a fundamental conflict: Should the market and its demands for ever increasing liberalization become the overriding benchmark for political action? Or shall we Europeans hang on to our conviction that politics follows the quite sensible principle of guiding our lives with a sense of social responsibility? There can be no ambiguity here. People are ready to take the initiative on their own, but they don't want to entire state to be dismantled. You don't have to think of New Orleans to understand this. People in Europe, and I would like to include the British here, don't want and are unable to privatize all of aspects of life's risks. They would much rather have a state which, to put it simply, doesn't lead them, but rather walks beside them. We in Europe will use these expectations as our frame of reference. (...)
Because of its economic and political weight Germany has a special responsibility in Europe. But we have never attempted to lead. For us focusing, together with our friends and partners, on deeper integration is the key. Cooperation with France has a particular role to play here. We want and we need a strong Europe, able to overcome today's challenges and upheavals. We have what it takes to achieve this goal. I hope that, in a generation's time, when young people from China, India or America come to Europe, they experience a continent which is made up of peace, democracy, economic strength and social cohesion -- a Europe which can look to the future and act as an example for the other regions all over the world.
I am not sure what are Schroeder's next plans, and though I am sure many would have wished he would have said these things earlier...at least he is saying them now. Great push back. This sentence is particularly strong: "I hope that, in a generation's time, when young people from China, India or America come to Europe, they experience a continent which is made up of peace, democracy, economic strength and social cohesion..."
