Habermas on the European institutional crisis

A very interesting analysis from Jurgen Habermas about the state of Europe after the Irish rejection of the Lisbon treaty can be found here.

Habermas offers two possible solutions to the current situation. First Habermas proposes to allow countries like Ireland to partially or wholly withdraw from the European Union. As he explains:

This, at least, takes the decision of Irish voters seriously -- even though that was likely not the Irish intent. The mere mention of such an option sends the right message, however. A cooperative treaty with member states that wish to be temporarily relieved of the obligation to take part in certain institutions could help Europe move beyond the malaise.

Second, Habermas proposes to hold a European wide referendum on the future and direction of Europe. Habermas believes that, with luck and commitment, this could lead to a "two-speed Europe" in which different countries integrate at a different speed.

Habermas's ideas have much appeal. They squarely address the democratic deficit of the European Union as well as the elitism/disdain that many Europeans equate with the "European project." However, there are quite a few impediments to making this happen. For example, many governments oppose the idea of a two-speed Europe, even if their country is given the option not to participate, because their influence would be reduced.

More importantly, the referendum is meant to address a democratic deficit that was partly created by the national governments' lack of trust in their voters to do the "right" thing. Pointing to the Irish outcome, those same governments will oppose any efforts to give voters more rather than less power in determining the course of the European project.