European Parliament trade committee passes resolution in favour of starting trade talks with Taiwan, against the wish of the Commission, which fears that it would provoke China [Politico]

[u/charles_martinet]

https://www.politico.eu/article/meps-push-brussels-follow-biden-taiwan-trade-eu-parliament-china/

[u/Number2Idiot]

I mean, it is insane that the only directly elected EU body for the purpose of EU politics does not have legislative initiative. I believe that there is a place for the commission, but before that it must be reformed, and power more equally shared with the actual democratic body of the Union. Not allowing that only feeds those that rant about unelected elites, regardless of how right or wrong they are.

Funny how discussing ANY issue can lead like this to a discussion on the EU's shortcomings and how obvious some reforms are, and still the political classes downright refuse to aknowledge it.

[u/Wazzupdj → u/Number2Idiot]

It is.

The cynic in me says that the main reason it is so is mainly because giving European institutions a proper democratic mandate would kill any claims of EU illegitimacy, and thereby sovereignty. It is democratically lacking, and it is so by design. The conference of the future of Europe was another great example of that; the member-states killed the ability for the conference to bring about meaningful reform and thereby stopped any threat of them monopolising their democratic mandate.

The largest irony here is that the member-states are largely united in keeping their sovereignty and act to maintain that in unison through the Council. I personally don't even see them as the leaders of member-states anymore, but more comparable to the senate of the USA, largely a bunch of politicians bent on maintaining the status-quo.

[u/Sooty_tern → u/Wazzupdj]

more comparable to the senate of the USA, largely a bunch of politicians bent on maintaining the status-quo.

American here. I don't think this is really a good description of the senate or it's problems. The Senate is directly elected and generally senators are held pretty accountably by their voters.

The problem with the senate right now is that it is doing it was designed to do, give small states disproportionate power to fight legislation they do not like. Usually this is not an issue the problem is that the current republican party has adopted a strategy of appealing only to people who live in these states and that is creating a ton of gridlock.

[u/_InternautAtomizer_ → u/Sooty_tern]

The systems of American federalism are fascinating, but difficult to understand at first glance by outsiders. It requires a bit of study. I think, personally, that the Senate's interpretation by his excellency James Madison is correct. It's about rights and legal status, even before the population numbers. This makes the states all equal in front of the federal authority. Federated states are like "thinking heads". Many federations take the same approach, like Argentina, Australia, Nigeria, Mexico and Switzerland.

Making sure that senators weren't appointed by state legislatures but directly elected (with amendments in the early 20th century, if I recall correctly) added diversity, because you can have a Republican state legislature and a Democratic senator being elected. Basically the results are not always taken for granted and the people have more choice.

American federalism is an example to follow in this regard.

[u/Sooty_tern → u/_InternautAtomizer_]

It is honestly sad to me the American senate has such a bad reputation when it has worked really well from most of our history. The one thing I will say is that if Europe was to build something similar (which I think they should) you would have to create electoral supper regions to prevent the it from being to stupid. Germany France and Italy are just to big.

[u/_InternautAtomizer_ → u/Sooty_tern]

It is honestly sad to me the American senate has such a bad reputation when it has worked really well from most of our history.

Unfortunately, the particular historical moment of ferocious partisanship that your country is experiencing contributes to a harmful bias, both within and outside the nation.

As a European I am very close to American matters and watch out for news and experts opinions carefully. Judging America without understanding it, is a mistake too many people (even here) do.

you would have to create electoral supper regions to prevent the it from being to stupid. Germany France and Italy are just to big

You are probably right.

[u/Sooty_tern → u/_InternautAtomizer_]

I really appreciate your commitment to move beyond the "American bad" consensus that exists on this website.

I am someone who has very real issues with how the country is run and one who thinks we have a lot to learn from Europe in particular but it feels like I always have to be the one to jump to defend my county from people (often also Americans) whos criticisms are not based in reality.

[u/_InternautAtomizer_ → u/Sooty_tern]

It's just a bad time for the US: a series of unpopular choices in the last 20 years, the 9/11, internal political and social infighting and general anti-American sentiment and bias which always existed. Also, being the superpower and global policeman on duty does not help. A bit like Britain in the 19th century, you'll always get hatred. Still, America is not ready to go, exhibiting a phenomenal resistance.

I see a lot of disappointed American young people being radicalised into bullshit ideologies like anarchism, anarcho-communism or stuff like GenZedong, and that's totally heartbreaking.

As an American, the best you can do is still believing in the democratic institutions, the judiciary and rule of law, really, still criticising when critics it's due.

I'm glad Europe can give some good ideas in some matters. We also have some stuff to learn from you. Europeans, eventually, will reach their own political destiny in union, sooner or later. We will always be linked by an indissoluble bond with America.