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European Tribune Thinktank

This area of the site is intended to be a place for gathering the results of discussions on using European Tribune and its community to influence Europe for the better.

Policy making

What power do we have? by Colman

Takes the recent successes of political blogs in the US regarding fundraising for political candidates as a backdrop and asks how blogs can assert influence over European politics. Since money contributions to politicians are virtually impossible in most EU countries, other approaches have to be developed.

• Cross-pollinating of the member states' policies by studying good policy examples in one country and how they can be applied in different countries.
• Directly asserting influence over EU institutions with the EU parliament being a first choice.
• Increasing the visibility and accessibility of EU institutions for the citizens, creating a better civic culture and discourse.
• Forming of pan-European parties in the parliament, although a conventional party structure like in a nation state might not be desirable.

Creating A New Left Economic Manifesto by whataboutbob

Brainstorming session for a pan-European economic manifesto with a host of background links to previous stories/diaries and other articles on the web, plus some book recommendations.

• Sustainable "growth" vs. "infinite" growth.
• Internalizing external costs (through regulation).
• Reducing/ending hidden and implicit subsidies.
• Alternative energies, also resulting in decentralized and independent energy networks.
• Re-emphasising rural economies.
• Re-evaluating productivity regarding workers, which should also include experience, training costs, etc.
• Re-defining value added by a company.
• Focus on local economies, reducing transportation of goods.
• Reviving the Commons (ie, goods owned by the public, such as land).

European Civic Society

The Tower of Babel and the European public sphere by Sirocco

Identifies the lack of a European public sphere as a central reason for the democratic deficit in the EU. Language barriers are a major obstacle towards building that public sphere.

• Building pan-European media outlets (French-German TV channel Arte is a successful example)
• Using national public spheres as building blocks for a European sphere by framing issues in a European context.
• More migration.
• More foreign language education.
• Switzerland shows that the language barrier can be overcome.

The Awkward Squad -- In Memoriam to Robin Cook

THE AWKWARD SQUAD -- In Memoriam to Robin Cook by Suskind

Robin Cook - Founding Member of The Awkward Squad

"The Most Awkward Thing One Can Do Is To Stand Up In The Face Of A Corrupt Regime - To Tell The Truth And Be Willing To Face The Consequences"

In memoriam to Robin Cook I have started this Diary Project called "The Awkward Squad."  Originally I went looking for all those resignation speeches and letters of those in public office who resigned in protest of the war on Iraq.  But as you will see, the project became too big for me.  So I need the help of Booman Tribune & European Tribune.  You will see who is missing, (Sibel Edmonds, "Gagged But Not Dead" and find what links don't work....   A special thanks to Oui & Jerome a Paris who are members of The Awkward Squad. Clearly I need all the help I can get... thanks in advance, Suskind.