I am an Irish citizen and an internationalist and pro-European but I am opposed to the Lisbon Treaty as I was opposed to the European constitution, which this in effect is. Because the Irish voted No last time, they are being called upon to vote No again. Many people in Ireland resent this. The French had the right to a referendum on this Treaty removed and the Irish are the only people in Europe who will be given the right to vote. Essentially the Treaty being presented to the Irish people today is the same treaty which was before them the last time, with some guarantees, which many legal experts believe are not worth the paper they are written on.
Last night I went on an Irish programme on a local radio station in St Albans to argue the case for a No vote. The news that Tony Blair could be the President of Europe within weeks if the Treaty is ratified in Ireland is really the icing on the cake. And as I said on that programme, would really alienate the EU from large sections of the globe, not to mention the entire Muslim world.
Last night I received an SMS from my brother in Dublin with the words "for independence and sovereignty, vote No." Below is an appeal from Green activists and academics from across Europe, which I totally agree with. And if Father Jack is against it then it is good enough for me.
A message to the Irish people:
The European Union has great potential to be a force for good in thiscontinent and this world. We can see some of this potential realised inthe role it has played in preventing major wars on its territory since1945, and more recently in the lead role it has played on mattersenvironmental.
But today, the E.U. is suffering from a legitimation crisis, a'democratic deficit' of huge proportions. Since the Enlightenment theidea of self-rule by free and equal citizens has been the cornerstone ofEuropean democracy. Constitutions can give expression to this idea ofshared freedom and thus serve as the basis for democratic institutions.They can, however, only do so, if we have reason to believe that theconstutions are understandable and acceptable to the citizens.
But today, the E.U. is suffering from a legitimation crisis, a'democratic deficit' of huge proportions. Since the Enlightenment theidea of self-rule by free and equal citizens has been the cornerstone ofEuropean democracy. Constitutions can give expression to this idea ofshared freedom and thus serve as the basis for democratic institutions.They can, however, only do so, if we have reason to believe that theconstutions are understandable and acceptable to the citizens.
The Lisbon Treaty is effectively the constitutional treaty for theEuropean Union. The major part of its content has been rejected inreferenda in France and the Netherlands in 2005 and in Ireland in 2008.It needs to be thoroughly revised in a transparent and democratic mannerbefore it is brought back to the citizens of Europe for approval.
In that context, the referendum that your country is holding next week stands as a unique beacon of hope.
In that context, the referendum that your country is holding next week stands as a unique beacon of hope.
We would ask you this: don't vote against the Lisbon Treaty out of petty nationalism. (The island of Ireland knows all too well of what excessesof fervour about national identity can lead to, in terms of humansuffering.) Be internationalists: as intellectuals from differentEuropean countries outside your borders, we are asking you to speak forus. Hundreds of millions of European citizens have been denied a voiceat the ballot box: exercise that power on our behalf.
Vote against the undemocratic project of Lisbon. Vote so that all of uswill be given that same right that you, rightly, have been given.
Vote against the undemocratic project of Lisbon. Vote so that all of uswill be given that same right that you, rightly, have been given.
Our common future is in your hands. Force them to stop, to think again,to democratise.
Please vote No to the Lisbon Treaty, on October 2nd.
Please vote No to the Lisbon Treaty, on October 2nd.
Thomas Wallgren, Finland, Head, Department of Philosophy, University ofHelsinki
Susan George, Paris, France, Author, Board Chair of the Transnational Institute
Rupert Read, UK, Reader in Philosophy, UEA, Norwich
Mladen Dolar, Professor, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
Mikael Böök, Project Manager, Helsinki, Finland
Dr. Steen Brock, Associate Professor, Dr. Phil.,Department of Philosophy, University of Aarhus, Denmark
Dr. John Collins, School of Philosophy, UEA, UK
George Daremas -Greece, Sn. Lecturer, University of Indianapolis -Athens campus
Haris Golemis, Nicos Poulantzas Institute (Greece)
J.P.Roos Professor,Dept Social Policy,POB 18, 00014 University ofHelsinki, Finland
Dr Derek Wall, Visiting Tutor, Dept of Politics, Goldsmiths College, London.
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