At the Guardian’s Comment is Free, Tim Garton Ash is still a believer in the European Project but, probably, not an optimistic one. As well as mentioning a familiar quote from Luxembourg’s Prime Minister he makes an important point, as Greece faces a democratic choice, again, that applies to the wider euro crisis. From the Comment is Free article
Greece’s untold, or only half-told, home truth is that its only alternatives now are bad, worse or worst. Worst is clearly an unplanned, chaotic exit from the euro. That may still happen. If it doesn’t, then Greek voters have a month to work out which they think is bad and which worse: a planned, careful departure from the euro or remaining in on the best terms Hollande can help them squeeze out of Germany.
I am not ready to join the chorus of commentators confidently urging Greece to jump one way or the other. I simply don’t know which would be better for Greece. I’m not an economist – and, by the way, the economists don’t know either. I’m also not ready because I’m not Greek. Democracy means people working out what government and policies are best for them. There is no European demos, therefore no proper EU-wide democracy, so the Greeks have to work out what is good for the Greeks. [added emphasis]
Well, economics is more art than science… [And that’s why, when it becomes serious, you have to lie. – Ed] Possibly… There’s also a response there to Wolfgang Schäuble’s riposte to Portillo.
One caveat I would add, though. Whilst Greece might be considered the birthplace of democracy, they have a somewhat fractured relationship with the modern version of that idea…
And, for believers in the European Project, there’s still “the political trilemma” to address.
But what to do when if even “the Borg” have failed?
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