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Identity Crisis (Robert Lane Greene, 01.28.03, New Republic)

Europe is as confused on its so-called collective policies as it is about its own design. Its two main international economic policies, engagement with the poor world and free trade, are fatally undercut by absurdly generous protection of its own agriculture. The goal of a vigorous common foreign policy is hamstrung by miserly defense spending. And domestic economic policy is a mess: France is openly preparing to flout a rule that forbids countries that have adopted the euro from running large deficits. For good measure, the European Commission's current president subsequently called the rule "stupid." And he seems to have a point. In recessions and periods of sluggish growth, deficit spending is an important source of stimulus. And lord knows the economy of the euro-zone (i.e., all the EU countries except Britain, Sweden and Denmark, which have not adopted the euro), which grew by an estimated 0.7 percent last year and is forecast to do just a little better this year, could use a shot in the arm.

It is against this backdrop that Europe's current tense relationship with the United States, typified by its criticism of American policy towards Iraq, must be understood. Sluggish economies, institutional confusion, and distant elites have helped maverick and xenophobic parties (most of which loathe the EU itself) score victories in recent years in Austria, France, Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands. To defuse this growing threat without addressing its own malaise, the European political class increasingly changes the question from "What's wrong with Europe?" to "What's wrong with America?"

France and Germany have a long history of scapegoating others rather than dealing with their own problems. What's new this time is that they've taken on someone who can defend themselves. Posted by Orrin Judd at February 1, 2003 9:27 AM