Where the EU crisis started

[sic transit]

I've already put this link in the Greek subforum but thought it was worth flagging it here as well. It's the BBC 4 radio programme Crossing Continents.
The programme on the 29th Jan started in 1989 with German unification. It will be followed by two further programmes telling the tale up to 2012, one on Sunday 5th and Part 3 the week after. Whether one agrees with the contention that 1989 is a good starting point it's certainly very good listening for those whose view and knowledge of Europe and the EU is limited to voting on referenda we don't like. Personally reckon it's good listening for anyone interested in the EU.

Part 1 is available as a podcast from here.
BBC - Podcasts - Crossing Continents

[Ren84]

We have a Greek subforum?

[sic transit]

We have a Greek subforum?

Yep. Surprised me too. Click on the Europe forum above and you'll see it.

[Ren84]

Aye. See it now. Must go exploring this site a bit more. Some strange sub fora. lol

[Analyzer]

Tut.....It is all Lehman's fault.....cause Da Bert sed so....

[toxic avenger]

I think that to explain the Eurozone crisis you have to trace back through a few different paths. Attempting to trace it back to a single origin or decision is pointless.

One such path is the beginning of the European political integration project itself in the 1940s; another is the limits put on that project by national governments; another is the genesis of Maastricht; also there is the development of the structural advantage within the EU that Germany enjoyed at the expense of the periphery in terms of the rate it went in to the Euro; the historical development of several individual countries' budgetary practices, social organisation etc. (e.g. Greece diddling the books, Ireland's obsession with property); the decision by the Germans and French to rip up the budgetary rules in 2005; the origins of the problems caused by cheap credit and the worldwide cult of deregulation; the problems inherent to a one-size-fits-all interest rate; etc. etc.

[ibis]

I think that to explain the Eurozone crisis you have to trace back through a few different paths. Attempting to trace it back to a single origin or decision is pointless.

One such path is the beginning of the European political integration project itself in the 1940s; another is the limits put on that project by national governments; another is the genesis of Maastricht; also there is the development of the structural advantage within the EU that Germany enjoyed at the expense of the periphery in terms of the rate it went in to the Euro; the historical development of several individual countries' budgetary practices, social organisation etc. (e.g. Greece diddling the books, Ireland's obsession with property); the decision by the Germans and French to rip up the budgetary rules in 2005; the origins of the problems caused by cheap credit and the worldwide cult of deregulation; the problems inherent to a one-size-fits-all interest rate; etc. etc.

I see your complex analysis, and will raise you a cheap soundbite.

[sic transit]

In terms of the faults and flaws within the Eurozone and the path that led to Maastricht and further monetary integration, 1989 and German unification is a fairly logical place to begin. Part 1 only goes to 1997 or so. Yes I agree that the web is far more tangled but one can see in 1989, as the presenter states " a euphoria" which overcame common sense and set off a chain of events that are in large part to blame for where we are now.

[paddyrebel]

have you head the news this week that there is an employment boom in germany? last week unemployment grew to record levels in spain, greece etc.

so who are the mugs? us or the germans? because of the structural inbalance money and influence is flooding in to germany at the expense of the pigs. they must be laughing at our stupidity.

[fuque]

If you think about it logically, it all started with the big bang..