Democracy in Europe

If it took a Frenchman, Alexis De Tocqueville, to shrewdly analyse American democracy in 1835, (Siedentop's title consciously echoing Democracy in America), it takes an American Oxford law fellow to sort the democratic diamonds from the Eurotrash. He panders neither to Europhobe nor Europhile, but asks both to examine their positions, and sensibly gives no truck to Labour or Tory posturing. Between the Scylla and Charybdis of British "common sense" and French bureaucracy, sails the Federalist Frigate, manned by a German crew and flying the American flag. Harsh criticisms of French agenda within Europe are slightly tempered by the acknowledgement that what drives it, apart from fear of a reunited Germany, is a fierce desire for a modern, cultural Europe; a "brand name". However, where the United States had a lingua franca, social mobility and a blank(ish) canvas on which to write its constitution, Europe has an infinitely harder task. Its switch must be sideways, and creakily painful. That it must happen is inevitable, but Siedentop's ringing conclusion to these compelling, searching political essays advocates caution: "Federalism is the right goal for Europe. But Europe is not yet ready for federalism." Siedentop's brilliantly bold, far-ranging provocation, faultlessly balancing historical narrative with political acuity, provides sophisticated kindling. --David Vincent

It's a stimulating tour of liberal political thought, of the state(s) of Europe - no, don't run away! - and a reminder of how precarious and precious democracy is.

It's a clarion call for everyone in Britain and Europe to stand up for the liberal democracy we invented, to stand up to the politicians who would short-change us and the beaurocrats who would confine us.

And it's a warning of what may well be our fate in Europe if we lose, or even worse, give in to the apathy and cynicism the establishment so urgently encourages.


Should mark the start of a real debate on Europe   September 3, 2000
Mick Hartley
Currently we have in Europe a situation where a bureaucratic elite is pushing through a series of reforms culminating in monetary union which is regarded by the majority of the population with at best a sullen acceptance. As Siedentop makes clear, this could be a recipe for disaster, as the only dissenting voices are marginalised on either the far right or left. There simply isn't a debate going on at anything like the level which is required for such momentous changes, and this book is an excellent attempt to get one started.

It's not surprising that this is written by an American, as the level of enthusiasm for what might be termed classic liberalism seems to have almost disappeared in this country. (I read this soon after reading Jonathan Freedland's excellent "Bring Home the Revolution" which looks at the way the US has thrived on the enlightenment ideals developed in large part in this country and now sorely in need of some sort of rebirth here.) And I can imagine Siedentop's arguments might not go down too well with many, especially on the left, as he has some robust points to make about, for instance, multiculturalism.

This is not an easy read, by which I mean that you need to engage with the book, and to follow the arguments through. It's well written though, and will reward the effort you put in. In fact it's the best book I can recall reading on political philosophy.