“The Economist” Country Opinion Grid

1. “The Economist”Country Opinion Grid A few years ago, “The Economist”(Is this not the best revue written in English in the world?) published a grid showing differing national attitudes within Europe. It is well worth a revisit! I have made some very minor tweaks, however ..... and added Norway, which was missing from the original list. For each category, think of YOUR answer, then click to see what the Economist said! “The Economist”- subscription homepage

2. The Economist Country Opinion Grid AUSTRIA That Europe forgets about Haider ..... Their greatest hope? Their greatest fear? mass immigration from the East ..... What they say about themselves? We are badly misunderstood. What others say about them? Watch those neo-Nazis! What Chris says! Stupendous country: Salzburg, Vienna!! Thank you for the music. See here: The Lechtal

3. The Economist Country Opinion Grid BELGIUM Brussels as capital of new superstate Their greatest hope? Their greatest fear? Belgium disintegrates – secedes from EU What they say about themselves? We have lots of good ideas. What others say about them? Tiresome zealots! What Chris says! Who can name more than three famous Belgians?(Hercule Poirot doesn‘t count!!)

4. The Economist Country Opinion Grid BRITAIN EU becomes and remains giant free-trade area Their greatest hope? Their greatest fear? Britain submerged into European superstate What they say about themselves? We are the only country which obeys the rules. What others say about them? US stooges – make up your mind or leave, What Chris says! We signed up for a „common market“, not a loathsome, arrogant, bureaucratic European Empire superstate ruled from Brussels.

5. The Economist Country Opinion Grid DENMARK EU integration stops Their greatest hope? Their greatest fear? welfare state dismantled by EU What they say about themselves? Nobody understands us. What others say about them? Please stop having referendums What Chris says! If only France were more like lovelylittle unpretentious Denmark!

6. The Economist Country Opinion Grid FINLAND EU mutual security pact ends Russian threat Their greatest hope? Their greatest fear? EU-Russian antagonism What they say about themselves? We're no trouble - not like those other Nordics. What others say about them? no trouble – nice phones What Chris says! They only talk when they have something important or interesting to say – a refreshing change!!

7. The Economist Country Opinion Grid FRANCE EU as French-led superpower humiliates US Their greatest hope? Their greatest fear? EU as German-led superpower humiliates France What they say about themselves? We invented the EU and are the only ones who really understand it. What others say about them? arrogant spongers What Chris says! Should not be so rude to Anglo-Saxons, who twice saved them from dictatorships.

8. The Economist Country Opinion Grid GERMANY federal Europe solves “German problem” once and for all Their greatest hope? Their greatest fear? popular backlash in Germany against euro and/or enlargement What they say about themselves? We pay all the bills: we deserve most say. What others say about them? Better friends than enemies .... What Chris says! Stop blaming them for Hitler – all those responsible are DEAD.

9. The Economist Country Opinion Grid GREECE EU admits Cyprus & screws Turkey Their greatest hope? Their greatest fear? EU admits Turkey and screws Greece What they say about themselves? We invented democracy; we should have more respect. What others say about them? Levantine rule-breakers What Chris says! Lovely people, food, islands and music (and thank you for democreacy), but don‘t ask us for any more money.

10. The Economist Country Opinion Grid HOLLAND EU adopts Dutch model Their greatest hope? Their greatest fear? squeezed between France and Germany What they say about themselves? We are founder members and dseserve more respect and attention. What others say about them? know-it-all What Chris says! delightful, industrious and impressive country which punches above its weight – I love Anne Frank

11. The Economist Country Opinion Grid IRELAND continued boom on back of EU Their greatest hope? Their greatest fear? EU ends Irish neutrality What they say about themselves? We are (or were) the EU’s economic stars. What others say about them? They owe it all to us. What Chris says! Even the luck of the Irish must run out sometime.

12. The Economist Country Opinion Grid ITALY a totally federal Europe Their greatest hope? Their greatest fear? kicked off top table for being too flaky What they say about themselves? We are Europe’s true believers. What others say about them? Great food – dodgy finances and politics What Chris says! Don‘t change – we need a bit of fun in Europe.

13. The Economist Country Opinion Grid LUXEMBOURG more of those lovely eurocrat jobs Their greatest hope? Their greatest fear? EU ends tax-haven status What they say about themselves? This is our stage. What others say about them? too powerful for a micro-state What Chris says! Thanks for your help in WWII.

14. The Economist Country Opinion Grid NORWAY Their greatest hope? The EU leaves us alone as we are, Their greatest fear? The EU gets its grubby hands on our oil. What they say about themselves? We are the heirs of a great civilisation – the Vikings. What others say about them? Why should THEY have all the oil? What Chris says! Hugely impressive, but a bit anonymous – surely the way they like it!

15. The Economist Country Opinion Grid PORTUGAL one day catches up with rest of EU economically Their greatest hope? Their greatest fear? small countries marginalized What they say about themselves? Don’t confuse us with Spain. What others say about them? poor, but honest – and thanks for Eusebio What Chris says! underrated, badly led for many years

16. The Economist Country Opinion Grid SPAIN Their greatest hope? even more billions of EU money Their greatest fear? no more EU money What they say about themselves? We are one of the EU’s leading nations. What others say about them? greedy What Chris says! Where did it all go wrong?

17. The Economist Country Opinion Grid SWEDEN Their greatest hope? EU becomes more honest (i.e. Swedish) Their greatest fear? EU becomes more corrupt (i.e. like the Club Med) What they say about themselves? We are the truest social democrats. What others say about them? a tad too self-righteous What Chris says! Why are we not more like them? Thanks for Ingmar Bergman & Wallander?