What price integration?
2005-06-01
Polish plumbers and, to a lesser extent, Czech IBM workers were
to blame (or thank) for the No vote in France. Polish plumbers,
because they represented the threat of low-wage workers
coming in from the East. Employees of IBM CR, because they
represented the "delocalization" to the East of even high-tech
jobs. Europe's entire post-1989 history has been a rapid
rebalancing of economic, military and political power. Those
pushing for greater EU integration have argued that the net gain
to both ends of Europe will positive. Even if a shift East means
momentary hardships at home, they've argue, the final outcome
will be better for all. The French No raises the ominous question
of what if they've been wrong? What if the net result of all this
rebalancing is negative? It was Mirek Topolánek who said Europe
shows signs of a civilization on the verge of extinction. [Czech
Republic European Union referendum industry wages Poland]
|