Given Saint-Pierre’s foresight, it is at first odd that he is so little known. Unfortunately, there is a tendency in Brussels to trace the history of European integration no further back than 1945
Over the years, European intellectuals queued up to give the work a kicking. Immanuel Kant poked holes in it. Rousseau labelled it naive. Frederick II of Prussia declared the plan “very practicable: all it lacks to be successful is the consent of all Europe and a few other such small details.” Yet skip forward three centuries and the plan is, more or less, in place as the European Union.today, one could usefully turn to the works of the abbot, now largely forgotten outside academia.
At the heart of both schemes is a radical idea. Under Saint-Pierre’s plan, sovereigns would submit to a superior law, enforced by independent supranational institutions. Coming more than half a century before Americans kicked out the British and the French started decapitating kings, this was radical. Without such a principle, argued Saint-Pierre, sovereigns would be stuck in a Hobbesian nightmare of constant struggle.
The rule of law has made the latest crack at European integration a success. Whether mighty Germany or tiny Malta, all members of the modernagree to subject themselves to the rulings of the European Court of Justice and laws put forward by the European Commission. Fundamentally, it is down to trust, or rather the lack of it. One country does not always believe another will abide by the rules, so other institutions must enforce them. This makes recent challenges to the supremacy of, so dangerous.
Saint-Pierre had a subtle understanding of sovereignty, which still applies today. From one perspective, most enthusiastically put forward by Brexiters, pooling sovereignty weakens it. For Saint-Pierre, true sovereignty involved no longer fearing one’s neighbours, since insecurity makes independence an illusion. The same logic is at work in thebecause it protects them from the excesses of big countries. Take the euro.
México Últimas Noticias, México Titulares
Similar News:También puedes leer noticias similares a ésta que hemos recopilado de otras fuentes de noticias.
Lorde Swayed Me to Purchase a Yellow Cutout Dress With Her Solar PowerLorde promoted her new album Solar Power during Good Morning America's Summer Concert Series in a yellow cutout Christopher Esber shirtdress with ruching.
Leer más »
‘Free Guy’ Reminds Hollywood That Star Power Can Still MatterNew VIP+ Analysis: The unexpectedly good debut for 20th Century’s “Free Guy” has complicated box office assumptions amid the delta variant.
Leer más »
French Distributor Mars Films Finalizes Restructure With Vivendi Content, Studiocanal to Operate Heavy-Hitting LibraryMars Films, the Paris-based distribution company that released Oscar winners “12 Years a Slave” and “Moonlight,” has finalized its restructuring plan with minority shareholder Vivendi Content…
Leer más »
EU says no recognition of Taliban, no political talksThe European Union has not recognised the Taliban, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Saturday, nor is it holding political talks with the militants, a week after they seized control of Afghanistan.
Leer más »
EU says no recognition of Taliban, no political talksEuropean Commission head Ursula von der Leyen urges global community to open arms for Afghan refugees, while insisting EU has not recognised Taliban and that the bloc's development aid to country is contingent to insurgent group's respect of human rights
Leer más »
The Latest: Kentucky Supreme Court reins in Gov. BeshearFor the sixth straight Saturday, protesters marched in cities across France against a COVID-19 health pass required to enter restaurants and cultural venues. Critics say the French government is making vaccines obligatory. Most French support the pass.
Leer más »