Now Wesminster is giving the EU a chance :-)
The "old Europization" of Brittain? We can only hope- since old Europe is pragmatic, and turns out to have been well and truly correct in their approach to Iraq.
Of course "old Europe" is a silly moniker- I can't believe how much France has changed. And their election rates are very good- with only a 20% abstention rate in national elections compared to the truly horrible rate of 50% in national elections (much lower in other elections). When you realize that unlike Belgium, which legally requires people to vote, and still has a 5 % abstention rate, a 20% rate in France with freedom to vote or not, is exceptional.
Ah well, apropos of nothing, really, but I just read a book on France's system of government, and business, and was absolutely fascinated by how well they've modernized without losing many of the benefits of "old" France. They seem particularly good at not throwing the baby out with the bath water, something we seem to do constantly in America. |
