Podcast Summary

Europe: Where Is the Passion?

Podcast: LSE: Public Lectures and Events
Date: May 5, 2011
Host: LSE Film and Audio Team
Speaker: Dr. Hans-Gert Pöttering, Former President of the European Parliament

Overview

This episode features Dr. Hans-Gert Pöttering, renowned European statesman and former President of the European Parliament, addressing the topic: "Europe: Where is the Passion?" Dr. Pöttering discusses the current challenges and future prospects facing the European Union (EU), focusing on economic crises, integration, foreign policy, and the sources (and lack) of passion among European citizens for the European project. The episode also includes a lively audience Q&A, where issues such as social policy, the engagement of EU institutions, foreign affairs, and voter participation are debated.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage: Europe’s Challenges and Opportunities (00:00–03:03)

• Host Introduction: Emphasizes recent challenges facing Europe: economic/financial cooperation, strains on core agreements (e.g., Schengen), and questions about welfare systems.
• Rising Disagreement: Notes open disagreements between member states and ongoing doubts among citizens about Brussels/Strasbourg’s effectiveness.
• Speaker’s Credentials: Dr. Pöttering’s long political career and unique perspective on European integration.

2. Economic Crisis: More Than Just the Euro (03:03–13:47)

• Not a Euro Crisis: Pöttering refutes the notion of a “Euro crisis”; instead, it's a crisis in some member states due to excessive deficit spending.
  • “Everybody speaks now in the European Union about the crisis of the Euro. And I am deeply convinced it's not the crisis of the Euro. The challenge is that some countries have spent too much money and have a too big deficit.” (06:05)
• Solidarity and Responsibility: Emphasizes the need for both solidarity and fiscal responsibility among member states.
• The Role of Social Market Economy: Advocates for a “social market economy,” balancing free markets with social protections—now codified in the Treaty of Lisbon.
  • “We are not defending a capitalist system, we are defending the market, a market economy. But the market is not an instrument in itself. It has to serve the people. It has a social dimension.” (08:39)
• Need for Order and Regulation: Reflects on the global financial crisis, calling for better financial regulation and macroeconomic coordination within the EU.

3. Democratic Movements in the Arab World: A New Task for Europe (13:47–22:25)

• Historical Comparison: Recalls the unexpected success of Eastern European integration and German unification, likening today’s Arab Spring to those earlier moments of transformation.
• European Support: Calls for EU solidarity with North African and Middle Eastern democratic movements, and warns of the risk of failed revolutions leading to new dictatorships.
  • “What was possible there is possible in other regions of the world as well. And I am deeply impressed by the young people in the Arab world who are now fighting for freedom, for their own dignity and for democracy.” (16:53)
• Rejects Clash of Civilizations: Critiques the notion that Islam and democracy are incompatible, urging partnership to prevent a “clash of civilizations.”
  • “If you would believe in the clash of civilization, then it would come like a self-fulfilling prophecy. And I think we have to do our utmost by cooperation, by partnership, to prevent such clash of civilization.” (21:25)
• Middle East Peace: Advocates for a two-state solution in Israel/Palestine and calls for an end to extremism on all sides.

4. Environmental Leadership and European Integration (22:25–30:25)

• Climate Change Legislation: Describes European leadership in climate policy and laments the poor public communication of these achievements.
  • “We are very bad in selling our good achievements... We should be united as Europeans to defend our achievements and to tell the people that we have to go into this direction because we know if climate change continues, what terrible consequences it will have.” (27:29)
• Role of the European Parliament: Details its evolution from a powerless body in 1979 to a powerful co-legislator post-Lisbon Treaty, affirming European democracy’s progress.

5. Foreign Policy and Security: The Need for Unity (30:25–36:35)

• Still Intergovernmental: Acknowledges the EU’s foreign and defense policy remain intergovernmental, lacking the political will for complete unity.
• Energy Security: Advocates diversification of energy supply (e.g., North Stream, Nabucco pipelines), emphasizing that energy should not be used as a political weapon.
  • “It is part of foreign policy... to prevent a situation that energy supply can be used as an instrument of foreign affairs.” (34:22)
• Europe’s Multi-level Identity: Argues that European citizenship complements, not replaces, local, regional, and national identities.
  • “Europe does not start in Brussels or Strasbourg. Europe begins where you are, at home.” (34:44)
• Europe as Community of Law: Contrasts past European history of war with the new order: democracy and law defining relationships.
  • “Now the great achievement in the European Union is that we act together on the basis of treaties. And these treaties mean law. And the law has a power today.” (36:08)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Everyone speaks now in the European Union about the crisis of the Euro. And I am deeply convinced it's not the crisis of the Euro. The challenge is that some countries have spent too much money and have a too big deficit.” — Hans-Gert Pöttering (06:05)
• “What was possible there [in Eastern Europe] is possible in other regions of the world as well. And I am deeply impressed by the young people in the Arab world who are now fighting for freedom, for their own dignity and for democracy.” (16:53)
• “If you would believe in the clash of civilization, then it would come like a self-fulfilling prophecy. And I think we have to do our utmost by cooperation, by partnership to prevent such clash of civilization.” (21:25)
• “We are very bad in selling our good achievements... We should be united as Europeans to defend our achievements...” (27:29)
• “Europe does not start in Brussels or Strasbourg. Europe begins where you are, at home... your home, your country and the European Union—to be a European. This belongs together.” (34:44; 35:35)
• “Now the great achievement in the European Union is that we act together on the basis of treaties. And these treaties mean law. And the law has a power today.” (36:08)

Q&A Highlights & Timestamps

Social Market Economy vs. Socialist Market Economy (37:07–39:37)

• Difference elaborated for a Chinese student: Pöttering distinguishes the EU's social market economy (market mechanisms plus social protections and order) from a “socialist market economy” in China. He reaffirms the need for balanced regulations especially in light of the financial crisis.

Social Policy & Defense Integration (39:37–44:41)

• Italian student questions social and defense policy unity: Pöttering supports minimum standards but rejects excessive harmonization. Cites the challenge of integrating defense and social policies, historically and practically.
  • “We don't want to harmonize everything in the European Union, but we must make sure... that there should be minimum standards.” (45:23)
  • Emphasizes the value and necessity of a united European defense.

Voter Apathy & The Role of Media (40:39–56:06)

• French student asks about declining turnout: Pöttering laments poor media coverage of European issues, noting it contributes to detachment. Suggests more direct constituency links for MEPs.
  • “I think what is needed that our media, especially television, that they give more reports about European politics.” (52:12)
  • Remarks on different voting systems and proposes improvements to make Brussels more accessible.

Irish Tax Sovereignty & Economic Policy (56:06–58:09)

• German journalist asks about tax pressure on Ireland: Pöttering reiterates tax changes require unanimity, safeguarding Irish sovereignty.

Mediterranean Policy & Turkey’s EU Prospects (57:06–62:36)

• Highlights the need to open European markets to North African agricultural products and support democratic transitions.
• On Turkey: Affirms strong partnership but opposes full EU membership, citing cultural, political, and geographic strains.

NATO, War, and Europe’s Global Role (58:15–70:45)

• Serbian-British audience member challenges Western military interventions: Pöttering defends NATO’s interventions (e.g., in Yugoslavia) as responses to humanitarian crises and urges collective European history reckoning.
  • “I think the decision which has been taken by NATO and the international community was the right one, because we had to stop the killing.” (70:03)

The Problem of Passion & Public Engagement (61:29–75:59)

• American listener asks about European “passion” and bad press: Pöttering insists reforms and communication must highlight successes, and one day, the EU may need its own revenue, cautioning against increased taxation.
  • References “No taxation without representation,” suggesting Europe needs a transparent revenue model in future (75:30).

Important Timestamps

| Segment | Time | |-----------------------------------------------|--------------| | Opening & Introduction | 00:00–03:03 | | Economic Situation & Social Market Economy | 03:03–13:47 | | The Arab Spring & Democracy Abroad | 13:47–22:25 | | Environment & EU Legislative Progress | 22:25–30:25 | | Foreign Policy & Energy Security | 30:25–36:35 | | Audience Q&A Begins | 36:35–39:37 | | Social Policy, Defense, and Media | 39:37–56:06 | | Taxation, Mediterranean, Energy | 56:06–62:36 | | NATO, Interventions, and European Identity | 62:36–70:45 | | Final Thoughts on Passion, Public Engagement | 70:45–75:59 |

Conclusion

Dr. Hans-Gert Pöttering's wide-ranging talk and Q&A dissect the sources of Europe’s disengagement and the ways the EU can renew passion and unity. He champions solidarity, balanced integration, strong values, and effective communication as keys for Europe’s future. Above all, he insists that Europe’s identity is rooted in local, national, and European layers, all interconnected by law, democracy, and a shared sense of history — and calls on younger generations to carry this passion forward.