2010 2012
за собой мировое сообщество. Американское вмешательство в европейские дела больше не вызывает радости. После прозвучавшей в июне 2012 году из уст президента Обамы критики в адрес Германии по поводу разрешения кризиса евро министр финансов Германии Вольфганг Шойбле сказал, что «президенту Бараку Обаме следовало бы сосредоточиться на сокращении американского бюджетного дефицита прежде чем советовать Европе, как разобраться с долговыми проблемами». («Шпигель Онлайн», 25 июня 2012 г.). Однозначно экстремизм Вильгельма II и (в особенности) Гитлера не зарождается вновь. Однако, налицо некоторые признаки абсолютизма. Например, идея назначить европейского комиссара по Греции, которому были бы предоставлены полномочия контролировать греческий бюджет и налоговую политику, что звучит довольно недемократично. Мало того – госпожа Меркель и господин Шойбле настаивают на реструктуризации (а фактически – на уничтожении) кипрской банковской системы на основании сомнительных обвинений в отмывании денег, а это уже явный отход от идеи «европейской солидарности». Время покажет, действительно ли Европа должна беспокоиться. А пока авторитет «большого скорпиона» под большим вопросом. •
the Old Continent and led to simplistic comparisons between Chancellor Angela Merkel and Adolf Hitler. In the past, when unified, politically independent and poisoned by extremist ideas, Germany detoured from the path of peace. Europe suffered two major wars and balance was reestablished only after the German adventure was exposed to overexpansion and after the Americans entered the game. In 1990 the two Germanies reunified as a result of American mediation, in line with the terms set by US global leadership. However, things have changed. The United States, weakened by the 2008 mortgage crisis, essentially withdrew from the global stage in order to focus on domestic issues. At the same time, thegrowing gap between Germany and the rest of the European powers makes the “smell of hegemon” more intensive. The whilom Franco-German axis, which encountered American interventionism during the past decade, essentially decomposed as a result of a significant change of the power equilibrium between France and Germany, as well as President Hollande’s disagreement with the German-inspired politics of austerity. The most worrying point is that some of the pre-conditions which set Germany’s violent hegemonism in motion in the past seem to reappear: 1) Germany is unified again, abandoning its post-World War II humbleness and projecting robust leadership in the EU and the Eurozone in particular. 2) Its
political independence is growing as a result of the American unwillingness to lead the world. American interference in Europe’s issues is not so welcome any more. After President Obama criticised Germany for the management of the euro crisis in June 2012, German finance minister Wolfgang Schäuble said “President Barack Obama should focus on cutting America’s own budget deficit before advising Europe on how to tackle its debt problems.” (Spiegel Online, June 25, 2012). 3) Wilhelm II and (especially) Hitler’s extremism is definitely not reemerging. However, some signs of absolutism are evident. For example, the idea of appointing a European commissioner in Greece who would hold power over the Greek budget and tax policies was rather undemocratic. Furthermore, Merkel’s and Schäuble’s insistence on restructuring (essentially dissolving) the Cypriot banking system on the grounds of dubious accusations of money laundering stands far from the idea of “European solidarity”. Time will show whether Europe should really be concerned. For the time being, the “big scorpion’s” credibility is under question. •
LEGACY - 75