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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, JUNE 17, 1983
PAGE 9
newest work (published by Simon and Schuster at $14.95) Mr. Barzini, an
Italian who lives in Rome, makes a thorough and totally captivating exami
nation of the national character of Europe's principal nations. His book
includes chapters on "The Imperturbable British," "The Mutable Germans,"
"The Quarrelsome French," "The Flexible Italians," "The Careful Dutch" and
lastly, because of America's impact on Europe, "The Baffling Americans."
A recent book review in a Dallas newspaper said that if you buy only�
book this year this is definitely the one. I heartily concur. � o one alive
today has so closely observed and analyzed modern European nations over as
long a span of time as the 74-year-old Mr. Barzini.
Interestingly, the main thrust of his book is to show that the competing
national characteristics� the main impediment� European unity--or as
he calls it, "The European Dream." He says, in his first chapter on "The
Elusive Europeans":
If a united Europe were authoritative and strong enough it would
no longer be taken for granted as a docile, occasionally recalci
trant vassal by the friendly superpower, nor could it, one day,
be intimidated by the other's guns and missiles pointed against
it into the craven acquiescence of a resigned surly serf. A uni
fied Europe could also prepare itself in time for the dangerous,
turbulent, and violent decades ahead, possibly the most treach
erous times since the fall of the Roman Empire•••.
To do all this, Europe should clearly evolve one common wi11,
speak with one calm majestic voice, have a clear idea of its
identity and goals, cultivate and defend its economic prosperity,
and pursue a single foreign policy in its own interest (and the
world's) • It should therefore forget its trivial disputes and
rivalries, put its own house in order, set up authoritative com
mon democratic institutions, arrange its financial affairs ac
cording to more or less uniform criteria, adopt one common cur
rency, and set up one redoubtable defense establishment.
All this is almost too easy on paper.... Treaties have been
drafted, signed, and ratified, some institutions have been estab
lished, bureaus organized and manned. A European parliament has
been elected. In reality nothing much has happened•••• In spite
of the verbiage, the rhetoric, and the elegant euphemisms, Europe
is no nearer integration today than it was, say, after 1815, when
it was somehow held together first by the Holy Alliance; later by
the blood ties among sovereigns, most of whom were cousins; and
by what was then known as the "European concert."
Mr. Barzini then explains that, despite a growth in "Europeanness," the
development of the Common Market, even a European parliament, Europeans are
still divided by distinctly disparate cultures and histories, which impede
the integration process.
Shortly after his book was published Mr. Barzini was interviewed on William
F. Buckley's "Firing Line" program. In response to a question about what
could be the match to finally ignite European unity, he replied that
perhaps it could only come about through a "great crisis, such as a world
depression." But it would still require, Barzini said, "� person of great