Re: European Convention and European Constitution -- LIFEBOAT

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Date Posted: 04:59:04 12/20/02 Fri
Author: Wayne Hall
Subject: Re: European Convention and European Constitution
In reply to: Superdisc 's message, "Re: European Convention and European Constitution" on 13:02:01 12/16/02 Mon

In the language I use, or try to use, "errr" and "umm" signify interruptions to communication, not a positive element in the content. In Superdisc's language they connote irony. But irony anchored in what, derived from what, implying what?

I have explicitly stated that my approach is activist and empirical, responding to an existing situation. I am not trying to get into an academic debate and I'm not trying to say anything with transcendent implications.

Whether I "want anyone here (where?) to take me seriously" depends on a lot of factors.

Do we have enough of a common objective to justify getting into a debate? There is of course the philosophy of this site, which in general seems O.K. to me, but there is no incentive for me to become an adherent to a philosophy unless fellowship and collaboration with adherents of the philosophy is going to lead somewhere.

I delivered my "European Convention, European Constitution"
paper to a meeting of ATTAC-Hellas a couple of days ago. Out of that meeting there came a decision for us to pursue the European presidency issue with the French ATTAC and enter a dialogue with members of the Synaspismos party here in Greece who want to see more active rank-and-file involvement with European constitution building.

On the other hand there was opposition to the direct democratic proposals in my paper, in my view mostly stemming from theoretical inertia and an unargued conviction that acceptance of "representative democracy" is a badge of distinction separating one from unacceptable "Stalinists" or "dogmatic" Communists. I find it intriguing to see how this attitude can coexist so comfortably with Fidel-Castro-fan-club standpoints. Presumably it's a class status thing: it's O.K. for Cubans to reject representative democracy. By definition they are lower status than "we" are, and they like us and appreciate our support for them without demanding anything too much from us on the level of ideas, so why bother?

I take it that this forum doesn't regard support for representative democracy as an article of faith.

There has been a lot of water under the bridge since the days of the LM forum, including for me an extended period of debate with direct democrats at the CICDD and DDF forums. This started coming unstuck after 9/11, given the obvious unwillingness of many or most direct democrats to open up to the new American opposition. There was a lot of undiscriminating rejection of "conspiracy theorists".

To me the new American opposition and the project of
democratic EU integration are the two poles around which I am trying to centre my activity and thinking. I'm willing to try to iron things out with anyone who detects deficiencies and holes in what I say provided we seem to be in broad agreement on those priorities.

Perhaps posting my recent Perry Anderson debate with Walter Bentley will provide better opportunities for discussion here.

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