Entrevistas

Just in case you may have had a slight suspicion that I'm not doing actual school work while here....

This is an assigment for my European Union class in which I interviewed a few people about their thoughts on the EU, crisis, etc  

Forgive the spanglish!

Introduction

The emergence of the European Union in the 1990s brought with it the promise of economic prosperity and security for members willing to pool some level of sovereignty. This establishment of this supranational institution sought to give a competitive edge to its member-states in the increasingly neoliberal and globalized world market.

Within the last four years Europe has been battling a debt crisis now referred to as the “Eurocrisis” or “Eurozone Crisis”. This financial unraveling has led to an upheaval in political, economic, and social security. As the crisis continues to unfold, the citizens of these European states continue to be devastated by aggressive spending cuts, high unemployment rates, and a deficit of leadership. Within the Eurozone specifically there appears to be a lack of cohesion between the supranational structures of the European Union and the “people on the ground”.  Reading the papers it is easy to be shocked by the climbing unemployment rates but to live among the statistics is a completely different experience.  This piece contains interviews of three different EU citizens from two different Eurozone states. It is meant to serve as a reflection on the European Union as a structure, display personal experiences/struggles during the crisis, as well as exhibit attitudes about the future.

Participants:

Luis Miguel Martín Llamazares, a twenty five year old male from Pelabravo, a small town in western Spain. He studied industrial engineering at la Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería de Béjar in Salamanca. He is currently living with his parents and brother in Salamanca while searching for a job and studying English.

Jose Elices, a man in his early thirties who grew up in Salamanca, Spain. He attended school at the Colegio San Jose de Calasanz in Salamanca and after went on to training for professional office work. After this training he attended the University of Salamanca and now is self-employed.

Eleutheria Dimitro, a twenty three year old woman from the Cretan village of Alikianos in Crete. She studied economics at the University of Thessaly and graduated in 2010. Due to the severe unemployment in Greece, she is currently searching for job but maintaining herself by working at a restaurant owned by her parents.

Interview Summaries:

Question 1: In general, how would you summarize your attitude toward the European Union?

The responses of these three young people were essentially aligned. All three agreed that the European as an institution was a positive force because unification made the economies of their home states more competitive. Each agreed that the strengths of the Union included increased competitiveness and facilitated cooperation between states.

Their answers diverged in terms of what the next step for the Union may be. Luis is confident that in order to alleviate all of these problems there has to be more cohesion between the states. He is sure that in order to maintain global influence and power the European states must act as a unified front. He believes, “La UE, según yo lo veo, debería parecer un único gran país en lo que refiere a temas como la economía, política, investigación, sanidad, educación, infraestructuras, ... Todo esto intentando no afectar los rasgos culturares de cada uno de los actuales países que conforman la UE.”

Jose believes that in general Spain has benefitted from joining the Eurozone but is hesitant to cede any more sovereignty to the superstructure of the EU. He is firm in his belief that there is a democratic deficit and worries that further integration may exacerbate this issue.

Eleutheria is overall feeling cynical about the status of the European Union. She feels as a Greek that she is being punished heavily for things that she is not responsible for. As a young person she tries to maintain a positive outlook but is finding this increasingly difficult as she struggles to find employment and watches as the harsh austerity measure imposed on Greece devastate her family and friends.

Question 2, What were your expectations for the Euro when it was first introduced?

All three agreed that when the Euro was first introduced there was much excitement about the benefits that it would bring to all members. Each believed that it was successful in boosting economies and they enjoy the personal privileges of being members including but not limited to the opportunity to travel freely between countries and seek education in other countries with relative ease.

Question 3, Have you personally been effected by the Eurozone crisis? How so?

The primary symptom that each of these young people explained was unemployment. Jose explained that he is currently unable to obtain a job which incorporates any of his professional training. He is currently left to find odd jobs in order to support himself. Eleutheria is in a similar situation. She has a four-year degree but is unable to use it. She is unsatisfied with her current situation but does not see herself moving out in the near future. Both explained that they now must live very cautiously because of their uncertain futures.

Luis said that the truth is that he is surrounded by many people who are struggling more than him. The most difficult challenge he faces as a result of the crisis is obtaining his first professional job. He explained that when he first started engineering school he watched other students graduate and immediately enter the work force and now that almost never occurs. He worries that because of his age and lack of experience he will have an incredibly difficult time finding work. He explained that almost all of his friends are in the same situation and in their final years of schooling many of their scholarships and grants were cut by the government which has given them more debt.

Question 4, Where do you see yourself or your country in five years?

Each agreed that in five years they hope to see some dramatic changes. They all believe that by 2018 unemployment will be much lower and social programs will be on the path toward revival. Personally, they each hope to have jobs within their fields of expertise.

Both Luis and Eleutheria predicted that they will be living outside their home countries within the next five years. This is primarily because Spain and Greece have the highest unemployment levels out of all the Eurozone states and in order to survive they must look beyond their borders. Luis was firm in his belief that unless the government makes serious reforms, there is no chance for the future. He said this in reference to the recent Popular Party scandal and explained that change will only happen “cuando los politicos dejen de robar dinero publico”.

All three were in concession that ending corruption must be a priority so that the citizens can stop being punished for the poor practices of their officials.

Question 5, Overall, do you feel more nationalistic or European as a result of this crisis?

Jose explained that he as always felt more Spanish than European but is proud to be a part of Europe. He explained that in crisis situations it is hard to overcome nationalistic feelings but that everyone needs to support the European cause.

Luis said that he is proud of both associations. He believes that in order to make the EU stronger people should put their national identity within their European identity. He made a comparison by asking me to feel proud to be from Massachusetts but not to let my love for my home state interfere with my US identity.

As a result of the intense measures imposed on Greece, Eleutheria has begun to feel much less European and much more isolated. She explained that the Greeks are constantly being blamed for the crisis and this makes her feel alienated and less patriotic about the EU.

Conclusion:

Spain and Greece are two countries currently facing extreme depression and this depression has brought with it various social and political consequences. As the interviews revealed, people within the citizenry are facing an array of problems and young people especially are somber about future prospects. And though each is struggling to establish themselves they all agreed that it is much better to face this crisis as a unified front. Though they have their respective identities, they do subscribe to the idea of the greater good. I believe that the Spanish and Greek are able to identify strongly with one another because they are both plagued by very similar situations. All three explained that cooperation and cohesion cannot be lost and I believe that this is a testament of how international institutions can create a conviction of common good.