Re: Germany welcomes euro

[Chris Burford <cburford@xxxxxxxxxx>]

At 27/01/02 15:24 -0500, you wrote:
> Chris Burford wrote:
>
> > According to the German polling organisation, Emnid, the popularity of
> > the euro has leapt up with its introduction in Germany.
> >
> > Last quarter last year only 33% thought it right to introduce the euro.
> > This month 65% support the decision.
> >
> > Three quarters believe that the intoduction of the euro will also lead to
> > close political union.
> >
> > This is an interesting lesson in guided democracy, since a referendum in
> > Germany at any time up to this month might well have derailed the euro
> > project. But the interests of large capital prevailed, and once achieved
> > the mass of the people see the advantages of a large market and a large state.
>
> It's not just that - it shows how polls operate within the status quo.
> Slavoj Zizek has an analysis of this somewhere making the point that while
> some policy may not poll well at first, if a politician were to make a big
> case out of it, it could change the whole frame of debate.
>
> Doug


Yes, Tony Blair will be looking at this swing with great interest.

The point you make from Zizek is clearly a description of what can happen,
especially if there are material interests pushing the politicians.

At least with the fall of the Soviet Union we can take a more pragmatic and
less idealised view of what constitutes the wonders of 'democracy'.

Chris Burford