High_and_Dry

Why am I not surprised that the EU will not bail out Hungary? The EU is a fantastic idea when the eastern countries are doing well for themselves. I am not surprised that Western Europe is not quick to rescue Hungary because there is considerable EU expansion fatigue (thanks to Bulgaria and Romania) and, quite frankly, a sense that Eastern Europe (with the exception of Prague, maybe) is not like Western Europe and, therefore, not as deserving. Eastern Europe is immature, only 20 years or so free of grip of the USSR. This grip was imposed by the USSR as it marched through Eastern Europe en route to Germany. We failed to support the Hungarian uprising in 1956, even though our rhetoric gave hope to those resisting Soviet control. Once again, Eastern Europe is being punished for its geography and history. The EU is a great idea when the economies of its member states is booming. Now is the real test of its values. So far, I am not sure if it is passing the test. Click here to read the Wall_Street_Journal article about the decision to not bail out Hungary. What does it mean to be European? Is the promise of EU expansion an empty promise because when things get economically dismal, it's every country for itself? What is going to keep countries that do not have a history of democracy from turning their backs on the EU, and therefore their commitments to openness if they see that the old members are going to favor each other at the expense of the newer members? I would like to think that the people would demand their governments continue on the paths to rid themselves of corruption and where, instead, there is a true level of transparency. Unfortunately, my experience leads me to think otherwise. My experience is that the all this transparency is top down, not grass roots up, therefore, there is no accountability. Democracy is not a universal value, despite what Reagan told you. Don't believe me? Democracy and freedom from tyranny are not the synonyms, contrary to what often insinuated. Go spend some time in Macedonia. Democracy in our global community is learned and takes generations to instill. It's not that the people don't want to trust their government, they just don't and it is for very good reason. It isn't that every politician or government worker is corrupt per se, it's that, for years, you HAD to be a party member to get anywhere and there is a strong history of corruption. For many years being involved in politics was a means to an end, the end being job security. Today, sure, you have decent voter turn out and "free and fair elections", but dig deeper. Are people just showing up and voting free of coercion a demonstration of democracy as a societal value? I don't think so. There has to be ownership by the citizens. That is the difference between democracy as an idea in action and democracy as a value that society shares. The citizens I talked to do not hold their government accountable or actually believe they can make a difference by getting involved. You could say the same about many people in America, before the election of Obama.