The grand gesture and the voter

The European Union is founded on democracy. The member-states join forces willingly in a whole that is far greater than its parts.

This "multiplier" of power also constitutes a systemic weakness: At any one time, a nation may decide to leave the European Union, as the British did in 2016, or they may reject a proposed constitution, as the French and Dutch did in 2005. In 2008, the Irish held up (for over a year) the ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon, which took the place of a constitution, with 53.2 percent voting against it in a referendum where the turnout was 53 percent. It is clear that a small majority in just one country can affect the future of the whole Union.

Today, the member-states' leaders and the top officials in Brussels are called upon to take decisions to save the European Union, decisions that will provoke reaction among many voters. The proposal...