Rethinking Transatlanticism: Toward a New Transatlantic Narrative

This just in: a policy paper I helped write has earned an Honorable Mention in the Young Writers Award of the Brussels Forum, organized by the German Marshall Fund. The competition included over 80 other papers.

Co-created with EU affairs professional Christofer Berg, the paper, titled "Rethinking Transatlanticism: Toward a New Transatlantic Narrative," offers a set of policy objectives to address the opportunities (and risks) of tomorrow's transatlantic agenda. 

I'll spare you the details, but here is the rough sketch of the piece's content and message:

"When Harry Met Sally: A Policy Partnership with Great Promise"
"Gone with the Wind: How Cooperation Risks Being Undermined"
"Back to the Future: Creating a Common Narrative for Transatlanticism"
"The Magnificent Seven: Concrete Actions to Renew the Transatlantic Narrative"


This last section offers seven bullet-style policy recommendations for the furtherance of a new and enhanced transatlantic narrative to carry a like-minded West into the 21st century. They are:
 
" - Encourage the transatlantic media landscape"

" - Avoid speaking to Americans and Europeans as though they were from different planets, along 'Mars vs. Venus' lines"

" - Ride the wave of new technology by embracing social networks like Facebook and Twitter"

" - Create a story for a “modern transatlanticism” through rhetoric"

" - Lift up people that can be the ‘faces of transatlanticism' "

" - Bring people together" through exchange programs, young leaders conferences, etc.

" - Connect the dots. Show that how we cooperate on trade, defense, and diplomacy is part of a wider common vision"


So, happy reading. The full paper is available here. 

TTIP: Cautious optimism despite resistance in Congress

My latest op-ed goes over some of the politicking around the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, or TTIP, which could provide a historical boost to the economic ties that bind the U.S. and Europe.

But that's only if TTIP passes. President Obama spent some time on the trade agenda in this week's State of the Union address. Yet the very next day, leaders of his own party, including Harry Reid, the House of Representatives' Majority Leader, came out against it. The op-ed's subtitle (which I did not write) points the finger at conservative Members of Congress and thought leaders, but many in the Democratic party have opposed the bill on grounds that it will threaten labor and environmental interests, among other concerns.

What's at stake is an intermediary piece of legislation whose passage would open the doors of opportunity for TTIP, as well as for a U.S.-Asian trade deal that is also in the works. Called the Trade Promotion Authority, or "Fast Track" for short, the new framework would guarantee expedient passage so that TTIP could move more easily through Congress. The problem is, more expedient means no amending the bill. Some American lawmakers are loath to grant this kind of carte blanche to Fast Track, while if they don't, Europeans will not likely negotiate in good faith. And why would they? If anything they agree might be subject to change by Washington, wouldn't you hedge your bets, too?

Here are a few of the reasons I see a mandate for cautious optimism in forthcoming TTIP processes on the U.S. side:

"Hailed by some as potentially the largest trade agreement in history, TTIP would reduce trade barriers by enacting a non-tariff paradigm in which myriad public- and private-sector players could spur growth, create jobs, and do business in markets previously inaccessible.

"TTIP’s promises have not won all hearts, however. Detractors see the deal as a menace to their own interests, even to national sovereignty. TTIP could also fail on purely procedural grounds: given recent resistance to legislation on the “Fast Track” Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) framework, the US Congress inspires only mild confidence.

...

"Strategically, the potential benefit is just as strong: TTIP would establish a Western-oriented economic system of consequence, push the fallout of the 2008 financial crisis decisively into the past and provide the most unified transatlantic response to global competition in decades.

"Yet, detractors pose significant obstacles to the deal’s passage. TTIP’s opponents hail from a broad spectrum of interest groups and experts, some of whom warn against any compromise of national sovereignty.

"Instead, organizations like the Heritage Foundation vouch for “mutual recognition rather than regulatory harmonization,” which would rule out the possibility of a “transatlantic managed market” seen as detrimental to US economic and political autonomy. Likewise, advocates for labor unions, farm subsidies and intellectual property stipulations have each expressed reservations that threaten a comprehensive transatlantic trade program.

"Hurdles in the US Congress could also pose challenges, which means international-level concerns may be moot if the United States fails to rally consensus at home. A bipartisan group in the US House of Representatives has voiced opposition to new TPA legislation, saying they are not being consulted adequately on the negotiations underway, and that a new TPA might deny Congress its constitutional right to review trade agreements.

"In December 2013, 194 House members from the same group signed a letter to President Obama expressing their view that “Fast Track is simply not appropriate for 21st century agreements and must be replaced.” If the number of members of Congress opposed to TTIP should grow, odds for the deal’s passage will shrink proportionally."

Here's hoping.

Sweet EU Data Viz in Spanish? No Problemo

I've just discovered GeografiaInfinita.com, a pretty sweet place to window-shop for data visualization and maps, like the one below on youth unemployment. Light blue equals jobs, and dark blue equals fewer jobs. And who cares if the site is in Spanish? Looks like site founder Gonzalo Prieto is on to something universal. 

This page features "Twelve Maps to Better Understand the European Union." (At least, that's what I think it says.)

Also check out the 25 or so most connected Twitter users among global foreign affairs leaders, within and beyond the EU. This map is on Prieto's site, but it originally came from Burson Marsteller's Twiplomacy practice.

U.S. to the EU: Here's Looking at You, Kid

Just a few comparisons between the Old and New Worlds: on quality of universities (apparently, OneEurope thinks U.S. schools are way better than European ones), and an uber-general piece from CafeBabel, "What Do Americans Think About Europe?" Despite its gaping generality, it does feature this sort-of redeeming map of U.S. stereotypes of Europe.

EU's "Public Sphere" is Taking Shape

In spite of everything, Europe may be gelling, after all. 

Nosemonkey has suggested that the EU may be developing a public sphere, solidifying a pan-European public opinion, even after events like the euro crisis, global financial tumult, and the rise of euroskeptic parties across Europe threaten to shake the still-fresh institutions trying to establish a robust European project. 

The blog's creator, James Clive-Matthews, defends the right of euroskeptics to freely speak their minds against the European Union's advances -- and all that, as a part of the European marketplace of ideas, through which engagement from ordinary citizens is essential. Even, it turns out, if those who count among the most engaged are those most opposed to the project's advancement. What an ironic picture of civic duty. 

Hats off to you, then, Nosemonkey -- and to the euroskeptics who prove the vibrancy of the democratic ideal playing out through the passionate discussions to which they contribute. 

This post maps the growing EU public sphere in digital form -- thanks, Tony Lockett.