Certainly a lot more than binds us to Europe. A shared legal system for a start and far closer cultural ties not least of all because of that shared language which you are so quick to dismiss.

This has nothing to do with empire and I believe you only include that in an attempt to portray opponents in a derogatory light. Certainly there is far more ‘Empire’ about the EU than about anything the Eurosceptics desire.

Unlike others I think your new group is a good idea. There should never be criticism of people voluntarily coming together to learn, discuss and share ideas. So more power to it.

What does concern me is that the fundamental principles of such a group may be based upon a set of false or at least debateable assumptions – such as your oft stated belief that nationhood is a bad thing and that supranational organisations such as the EU are desirable – which direct its views and the course of the debate.

The clue’s in the name.

If you want to set up a group blog looking at the Anglosphere, feel free – it could be an interesting exercise to see if there’s anything more than the language and Empire to bind us all together. But it’s not something I’m overly interested in. You may as well ask me why I haven’t set up an academic group blog on neuroscience or cartography.

And yes, anyone can access it (it’s on the web, so no surprises there). As for what EU-related problems it might “help us with”, I have no idea. Depends on the research interests of the contributors, I suppose.

Some contributors will be looking at the EU. Some of those will be looking at the practicalities of how the EU functions. It’s entirely possible that some of them may come up with suggestions for reform.

But Ideas on Europe is about Europe, not the EU. As you eurosceptics are so fond of pointing out whenever anyone accuses you of being anti-European, Europe and the EU are not the same thing.

The EU falls within its remit, and will doubtless be discussed, but it’s just one part of what the site’s about. It’s not even a political site – though politics again falls within its remit.

So to try to categorise it by such narrow, politically highly-charged terminology is frankly just silly. Especially as it’s only just getting going, so it’s impossible to tell what it’s final character is going to be. I came up with the idea and have helped to get the site off the ground, but I’m not going to dictate to the contributors what their opinions should be, even if I could.

Just for you, to repeat:

“the point for me is to enable greater access to in-depth research on Europe (ideally broken up into bite-sized chunks), and to break down some of those barriers between academia and the real world”

Even shorter version: It’s about increasing access to knowledge, simply for the love of learning. There is no other agenda.

The point for individual contributors will of course be different, depending on their research interests and personal preferences. But that was the initial intention behind the project, and what I approached UACES with to secure their involvement.

What`s the point of it then.?

Jaanika Erne,

I dont think the EU, in the way it is structured, can get close to the people. Unless there is more democracy and accountability introduced, which may possibly mean more federalisation. This of course is an anathema to a EUrosceptic like me.