Plugging the love deficit

There's a lot of anger and blame flying around in the "Euro-family" at the moment around the Greek economic crisis - soon to be joined probably by other countries in the "grasshopper belt", such as Spain and Portugal.

Tired old stereotypes of industrious Germans versus feckless Mediterraneans are being dusted off and given new currency, especially by the tabloid media - who are always eager to divide and blame. Meanwhile, much of the Greek left is busy blaming the "plutocrats" for the problem - not without some justice, but hardly the point now. If the Greeks don't row together, they'll drown together, and the same goes for the whole of Europe (indeed, the whole world). Who will the Germans sell their Mercedes and BMWs to if the "Club Med" goes down the plughole?

It's particularly sad to see this happening in Europe, which has for many years seemed to be evolving towards a kind of post-nationalism unique in the world, and born out of its own uniquely tragic history. Inspired by a generation of leaders scarred by two terrible wars - the second war which they had fought in themselves and the first war which had marked their parents' lives, and which wiped out nearly 50% of a whole generation.

From this pity and sorrow came the ambition to bind Europe's economies and cultures together so tightly that this could never happen again - and by and large it's been a triumphant success, growing from the six-nation customs union of 50 years ago to the 27-nation union of today, with its own Parliament and President, and a currency shared by 16 members, with 4 or 5 others set to join soon. Slow and cumbersome at times - but that's part of the point. It isn't a nation state, and never will become one.

British and other right-wingers are jumping up and down with glee about the present crisis; the whole EU venture flies in the face of their conviction that humanity is doomed to internecine competitiveness. This is precisely why it can't be allowed to fail - as a rare act of love in the world of international politics, and a victory for spirit and faith over economics.

But to achieve this, Europe's leaders will need to protect their fragile nestling better against the assaults of the market, like those of the ratings agencies - the same people, let's not forget, who gave AAA ratings to junk bonds concocted by the likes of Goldman Sachs and AIG.

In that respect at least the Greek protesters are absolutely right - the market will rip the European Union apart in search of profit, just as it does everything else. We mustn't let this happen.