The maypole is not exclusive for Nordic countries. An anglosaxian maypole provides proof.

Editorial background The European Union (EU) represents a peaceful balance between desirable national peculiarities and common values within EU and within mankind. Among the peculiarities of the Nordic countries, the celebration of Midsummer Eve around the maypole (cf 1) and the fermented Baltic herring rank high. Both traditions have ancient roots, not only in Nordic countries. In contrast, the aim of the first model of EU was to prevent new world wars from starting in Europe. Although much remains to be improved, now EU has provided peace to Europe for almost 60 years.

The European Union (EU) has a better democratic structure than The United Nations (UN), better wellfare systems than USA, and a spectrum of histories, cultures, languages, and ethnical groups (cf 1-5). EU was created to preserve peace and has performed perfectly in this role for nearly 60 years. Progress in other fields is poorer. The subventions to French farmers, to Swedish reindeer workers, and European fishermen distorts environment and many human rights such as freedom of contract, handling of properties, fair distribution of work, goods, and services (2). Nevertheless, UN is worse with the disreputable ILO 169, an obstacle to the development of democracy and human rights (2).

The most urgent improvement of EU appears to be the use of one common language, namely English, which for instance is used as company tongue in all transnational enterprises. "The bride belongs to all of us." It is suggested that

1. propositions, reports, and laws are available on-line in English, with translations to the national idioms of the member states;
2. the Commission is replaced by an ordinary prime minister with a parliamentary government;
3. the parliament reflects the peoples of Europe by one member per one million of citizens;
4. the EU administration in total is slimmed to 2,500 white-collars by moving all EU institutions from Bryssels to Östersund in the north-west wilderness of Sweden;
5. the move is expected to decrease the influence of lobbyists on EU politics by tools such as French dung and rotten fish;
6. the central administration and institutions of EU in Östersund is a servant of the peoples of the member nations, a service center, not an arbitrary, capricious, and entangled lord.

Europe is deeply influenced by the Abrahamistic religions, mainly different sects within Christianity but also to a considerable degree by Jewry and Islam. The basic traditions of Abrahamistic religions are found in The Old Testament and The New Testament of The Bible and in The Koran. Many sects within these religions believe that the political power of the countries should submit to the priesthood. The experience with this idea from Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658) and forth is generally bad and in conflict with democracy.

In fact, no one has emphasized the political power more strongly than Paul the Apostle (Rom 13:1-7). "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established." Thus, Paul submitted the Church to a brutal gentile dictatorship. The message appears to be that religious congregations should not fiddle with political power (cf 4). Paul was a reformer, not a preacher of revolution. The society ("authority") has a monopoly of violence. "He does not bear the sword for nothing". In this context, the alternative to political power is civil war, terrorism. Democracy, the modern political power, represents a non-violent dialogue between power and people.

There are always conflicts of economical interests, political ideas, and interpretations of the basic traditions of different religions (1-5). The legal framework, the efficient implementation of law and order, and the democratic legitimacy of the political power are essential in creating a society with minimal violence between different workers, sellers, and believers. EU demands democracy in new member states. It is reasonable to suggest that future UN demands democracy from member states as prerequisite for the right to vote in the General Assembly, in councils, and working groups.

1. Tolkien JRR. The Hobbit or There and Back Again. Allen & Unwin, London 1937
2. Norberg B. Artificial aborigines – a threat to democracy and human rights [health]. Rondel 2004; 19. URL: http://www.rondellen.net/health19_eng.htm
3. Dzaferagic S. Obituary – Stevan Dedijer and reformation of intelligence [health]. Rondel 2004; 20. URL: http://www.rondellen.net/health20_eng.htm
4. Norberg B. Saddam Hussein – recycling and reconciliation [culture]? Rondel 2003; 17. URL: http://www.rondellen.net/culture17_eng.htm
5. Norberg B. Universal Emergency Service – a breakthrough for public health care [health]. Rondel 2005; 23. URL: http://www.rondellen.net/health23_eng.htm

Published June 30, 2005