[pp.int.general] results

[Richard Stallman]

    What is "the right direction?" Populists argue: "less Europe". I would argue 
    that the EU is an unavoidable reality, so one should concentrate on a proper 
    policy maing process, includiing a proper division of tasks between memer 
    states and the Union. But that is exacly an aspect of "Lisbon".

The constitution that admitted it was a constitution
gave just a tiny bit more power to the parliament,
and was essentially impossible to amend.  If the goal is to
make the EU a democracy, it was an obstacle rather than a
step in that direction.

I do not know whether the Lisbon pseudo-constitution is any better,
but I expect it is not, because the people who want this would not
want something better.

Nationalism is foolish, but it may have a beneficial effect in the EU.
There is a tendency to support any European institution just because
it is European, and this includes the European Patent Office and the
EU Copyright Directive.  Nationalism can help overcome them.