Collective security or Gaelic autarky?

The rejection of the Lisbon Treaty by the Irish electorate has made headline news all over the world. A casual glance at these articles and the comments placed underneath them is illuminating. British papers and their readers could scarcely conceal their joy; the Irish registered a blow at Brussels for them. Canadians, incredulous that such a minuscule number of people could possibly slow down a process that has yet to be rejected by any other of the EU's 491 million citizens. In the US, onlookers tended to see the no vote as something admirable, a reason to reclaim one's pride in his/her Irish heritage; independent Ireland once again toppled the big man so the common man can remain free.

It is hardly a shock that Americans should feel like this, not only are some 50 million of them of Irish stock, they are, like Irish people, imbued with the blood of rebels and patriots. They are, like us, a profoundly independent people. Herein the similarities end. Americans, have the world's most powerful government aggressively asserting their interests, we do not. Americans have a military that is unparalled in its might, we do not. The US has an economy which, even in turbulent times, is the most successful the world has ever known. No matter how one exaggerates the Celtic Tiger, we do not have this luxury.

I have always been proud of Ireland's independent spirit; yesterday I was not. Irish participation in the EU and the UN etc, has long been seen as a medium for us to consolidate our independence; to do something apart from Britain. On Thursday we jettisoned that trend, and Ireland has not been this close to Britain for quite some time. This is not a bad thing in itself, however, it is when it counters our national interest. Independence is a source of ambivalence in Irish people. Our national psyche is one of free will, yet domestically we are easily subdued. The Catholic church dominated Ireland for decades, while parliamentary elections are rarely much more than a formality for re-electing Fianna Fail. Last week, we childishly listened to the myths, lies, and scare-mongering of republicans, socialists, and hard-right Christians, unlikely bedfellows who share a pre-modern vision for Ireland. Irish people seemed impervious to the reality that when every EU treaty comes around these same characters have pedalled the same tiresome nonsense. Worse yet, they managed to convince enough people that a 'better deal' was somehow in the offing. Sadly, it is not. Other EU countries are hardly going to set an incentive for defection, or allow Ireland to act with impunity. Nor is re-negotiation in our best interest, for every gain there will certainly be losses.

However you look at it, Irish people said to no plans for tax harmonisation that do not exist, or rejected further institutionalising a 'democratic deficit' that is illusory. Maybe we stood up to the bigger players just for the sake of it. In any case, we were wrong. The vote was misplaced, and the debate focused on the wrong issues. Indeed, only the Wall Street Journal seemed to be on the mark, arguing that 'Ireland derailed EU plans aimed at making the bloc a more global player' (13/06/08). This is a succinct analysis. Even a passing glance at global politics will yield to the reality that power is shifting towards behemoth powers once again: Russia has re-emerged, China and India have long since arrived, Brazil, and possibly South Africa, are on their way. There is even some potential in South America and Southeast Asia- maybe even in the Middle East too. The Lisbon Treaty was designed to allow the EU survive on this reconfigured global stage. Many Europeans have realised that if we stand united, we are more than the sum of our parts, but divided we are a rag-tag collection of states, all of which will be eclipsed. Unfortunately, Irish people ignored this fundamental reality in international relations, and chose to dash any hopes of this country having a meaningful voice in world affairs. We are right to say no to 'militarism' in the EU, should it ever appear, but we need an apparatus to respond to militarism in Moscow and Beijing, in Khartoum and Naypyidaw.

It is childish to assume that a 'no' vote will have no negative consequences for this country and will be returned with a 'better deal'. This is not a zero-sum game. If the Lisbon Treaty is ratified in the remainder of the EU, and I expect it will be, save in perhaps Britain, dignity demands the Irish people decide on whether our future lies with the bloc or on our own. By then, Europe will have spoken, it will be ready to respond to the challenges of globalisation, climate change, terrorism, macro-economic imbalances, and power distortions. If we do not wish to do this, then we should try once again to be a small nation in a world a big powers. I do not think we could survive, but that is the choice an independent nation should make. Independence comes with maturity and means taking responsibility for one's actions. Independence, moreover, should not be used to cloak the reality that it is unbecoming of a friendly and honest people to hold our allies, who have given us so much over the last 35 years, back from meeting, head on, the challenges of this new century.

Yours etc,

Gary Quinn