The Lisbon Treaty has enhanced the international Role of the EU. The appointment of a High Representative, de facto a EU foreign minister, and the creation of a diplomatic service, composed of officials from EU institutions and member states, are the most innovative changes. Thanks to this new constitutional framework the 50-year old Commission Delegations… » read more
Posted by Eberhard Rhein
November 15, 2013
Historically, governments in Western countries used to stay in office for four years, a heritage of two centuries US constitutional tradition. For the majority of EU member countries four years continue to be the norm, though some like UK, France and Italy have shifted to five years and others like Germany may consider doing so… » read more
Posted by Eberhard Rhein
September 17, 2013
Just in time for the UN General Assembly, the UN secretariat has published the second World Happiness Report. On the basis of extensive polls in 156 countries it assesses how people rate their overall happiness in life. The result shows that, despite the 2007-08 financial crisis, the world has become slightly happier in 2012 than… » read more
Posted by Eberhard Rhein
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Economy, English, Financial Crisis, Future EU, population, UN |
May 8, 2013
Governance is about setting and implementing rules. It is based on reciprocal trust between governments and citizens. The more citizens share similar values and traditions the easier it is to govern. Big countries or those encompassing different cultures therefore resort to federal structures, which allow much of the rule setting to take place at regional… » read more
Posted by Eberhard Rhein
Thoughts on energy and climate, the Mediterranean and whatever comes to mind.
