Understanding Europe from the Europeans

We were listening to a group of European journalists who were in Seattle to learn about American society and politics, when it occurred to us that from their point of view, our politics is not about very much.

The United States has a partial continental economic union, NAFTA. Europe is building a partial continental political union. Economics is about money and making a living. Politics touches the national soul, and is not a matter dissectable only by reason.

"This is a transfer of sovereignty," the German journalist said of the European Union and proposals to add to its 27 members. The German argued that if Turkey were admitted to the EU, its power would rival Germany's. "We have to keep some identity," she said.

Americans wrangle over immigration, but no one is talking about free immigration and open borders. Within much of Europe, they already have it. Thousands of Poles have moved to Ireland.

Americans grumble about the conflicts from mixing religion with politics. Consider the Turks, who have elected several Islamic parties to power. The Turkish journalist told us that the secular government may ban these parties.

Could a democracy do that? It is not a question asked in America, and be thankful for that.

There was one issue, always implicit in many of the Europeans' questions. It is how to anticipate and adjust to a larger foreign power.

They worry and wonder what we will do, and in a way that we do not worry about what they will do — especially in a land as distant as Seattle.

It is not a thing anybody says. It is taken for granted, and there is no resentment expressed about it. But it is there, always, and both sides feel it.

— Bruce Ramsey