When you think about it, the EU project is in some trouble.
The current German conservative model has resulted in a brutal economics across Southern Europe. The policies they have recommended have failed to improve conditions. Many believe austerity has exacerbated the problems of Spain, Italy and Greece.
The sense in Germany seems to be that the easy-going cultures of Southern Europe need discipline. But then they would think that: they are German. Our experience of German cultural superiority and bullying isn't so good.
My sense is that you cannot succeed in imposing a Teutonic culture on a Mediterranean environment. And that this incident tells you that a unified Europe - the ever greater union model - isn't really achievable. Only a loose affiliation is possible. Corralling countries into a single currency was a gigantic mistake.
Greece revealed the paradoxes of the European experiment. The oxi (Greek for no) referendum result showed that when democracy speaks, it will tell you that enough is enough.
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