Democracy

In 2010 the Flemish nationalists became the largest party in the Belgian Federal Parliament for the first time. Does the rise in electoral support for the N-VA herald the end of the state of Belgium or can the country continue to adapt?

Belgian federalism and European federalism have reached the end of an epoch. Both have to be reinvented. To achieve this we must start from our shared interests and recognise the interdependence that links us. Environmentalists who have always been passionate federalists have to be the motors of this reinvention.

Federalism in Spain is singularly paradoxical. Although federalism seems, a priori, the most logical politico-juridical solution for a territorial reality as diverse as that of Spain, in fact, it has been and continues to be rejected as much by the main political parties—the Spanish Socialist Worker’s Party (PSOE) and the People’s Party (PP)—as by the nationalist parties.

A Federal Europe cannot come about solely through disparaging national identity. Rather, a Federal Europe needs to be built based around concepts that are understandable to citizens: democratic accountability, transparency and a refrain from simple centralisation.

It is more vital than ever to transform the porous structure of the EU into a stable, federal house. A key instrument for this is the budget of the EU, through which European problem-solving capacities can be enhanced.

Reflecting on contemporary and historical debates on the concept of ‘solidarity’ in Sweden, Per Gahrton finds conflicting views on what many take to be a simple concept.

The 21st century presents a fascinating paradox: never before in its history has humanity reached such an advanced and refined level of technological development, but never has it come so close to the ecological precipice and global collapse. If this contradiction is to be overcome, political ecology must focus on two priorities: the relocalisation of the economy and the democracy of self-limitation.

The neo-liberal Taliban have brought Europe to its knees. For the first time in its history, the European idea has been weakened to the point that its survival is now at risk.

A broad public debate and continuous campaign is needed to ensure that governmental invasion of our private information is kept to a minimum, but the PRISM revelation may be the tipping point that brings this about.

The accession process in the Balkan countries is sowing confusion in applicant countries, often as a result of overly political decisions by the Council of the EU.