University:
University of Wyoming
Course:
POLS4215 | European Union
Academic year:

2023
Views:

335

Pages:

1
Author:

Allison B.

This week we discussed the role of the European Monetary Union (EMU), the central banking systems in the EU, the Euro currency for the EU, and discussed the situation known as the Eurozone Crisis and its impacts on the Euro and the European Union. Our reading for the week continued on some topics from past weeks, the refugee crisis in the EU. Angela Merkel not only saw Germany through one of Europe’s most drastic refugee crises, but triumphed through the period with steadfast leadership, acknowledging the attitudes of Germans, and working in innovative ways to not only assist refugee populations but used the opportunity to better Germany. This article directly (academically) addressed what we have alluded to in our course, Germany's collective sentiment to aid and accept refugees, a “Nazi Albatross”. Mushaben acknowledges this as well as her fundamental change in Germany’s role in Europe, “What Merkel’s critics underestimate is the extent to which her proactive policies of the past decade encouraging integration and “intercultural opening” have produced an even bigger paradigm shift in the way Germans feel about themselves.” (Mushaben 100) Discussion Questions: - In class, we discussed how certain countries when entering in to the EU didn't fully disclose their debt and economic situations. Is this fair to other. members of the EU who are economically tied to those states or is it within reason? - With the reading on Merkel's refugee crisis, do you believe her stepping down (Links to an external site.) will change Germany's policies and attitudes towards refugees? Why or why not? → I enjoyed reading your thoughts on this week's content. Responding to your second question, yes. In policy-making with regards to public opinion, including immigration practices, there are two different tracks of conception: expert opinion and the affective political track. The expert track is constructed by undeniable facts, like refugees are beneficial for European economies (Links to an external site.) or violence from refugee communities is minimal (Links to an external site.). That being said, the affective political track is fueled by fear and anger and creates public conceptions. An individual might relate their family member who lost their job to be a situation where immigrants/refugees are taking "their jobs" or a local news story of a criminal incident nearby to someone may instill a statistically unlikely fear of criminal activity from migrants. People's beliefs on opinions aren't always constructed from facts, but their own collective memories which can cloud their judgment of policies or refugees as a whole.