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En el Adam Smith Institute Blog publica Madsen Pirie un artículo muy al hilo de lo que comentábamos en el artículo anterior, El Cisma de Occidente.

Una de las reflexiones que yo me hacía ante la situación de choque de fuerzas en la Europa actual reparaba en el hecho de que, mientras que Blair parece un político en plena forma, un triunfador, Chirac y Schröder, sus oponentes, se muestran claramente caducos y bordean la jubilación.

El artículo de Pirie abunda exactamente en esa idea.

One generation passeth away and another generation cometh (Eccl 1:4). It is happening in Europe before our eyes. President Chirac and Chancellor Shroeder, whose alliance did so much to set the lead and the direction of the EU, are in the home stretch now. In both cases they seem likely to be replaced by more Atlanticist, free-market successors.

No es de extrañar que las ideas de Blair suenen también a algo nuevo, algo distinto del rancio mensaje franco-alemán, de modo que al cambio de generación suceda un paralelo cambio en la forma de entender Europa en un mundo enteramente globalizado.

But it is not just the leaders who are changing. One vision of Europe has been passing away. It is the politically united Europe with strong central institutions modeled on the French state, and with social guarantees which lie in the continental tradition. That Europe, which was to stand up against America as at least an equal, would have had its president, ambassadors, army, and tax regime. It will never happen.

The new vision of Europe which is replacing it is less of a political force, but with a stronger, more vibrant economy. It is a Europe which can prosper in a world which includes China and India among its economic drivers. It will do so by reducing its taxes, subsidies and regulations, and by trading more openly and honestly. It will recognize the part which incentives and motivation play in economic expansion.

Decía Mark Twain: “sin duda debe de ser un autor muy listo, porque está de acuerdo conmigo”. Por tanto recomiendo calurosamente leer el artículo de Pirie completo.