Country Quote by Tariq Ali
“If there is a Greek exit from the Eurozone, I think the German elite will be quite pleased that they can then use that to restructure the Eurozone and make it a zone where only strong countries are allowed in. There would then be two tiers within the European Union, which is in fact already happening. But you cannot simply get rid of German control by raising the specter of the Third Reich. That's ahistorical.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on European politics, 2012
The quote suggests that German elites might welcome Greece leaving the Eurozone to reshape it into a stronger, two‑tier union, but warns against using extremist rhetoric.
In simple terms: German elites may favor a stronger Eurozone but fear extremist narratives.
Key Takeaway
Consider the political motives behind economic restructuring.
Themes
politics
economics
EU integration
nationalism
historical memory
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
analytical
political commentary
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- media analysis
- academic research
Key Concepts
power dynamics
regional stability
identity politics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do economic interests shape political narratives?
- What are the risks of a two‑tier EU?
A Different Perspective
The argument may oversimplify complex economic interdependencies.
![“We believe that what they call "Grexit" [a Greek exit from the eurozone] is not an option for us.” quote by Antonis Samaras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/818/antonis-samaras-24732_believe_we-believe-that-what-they-call-grexit-a_1978319.jpg)
![“That country [Carthage] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws; and every step of intestine discord was marked by some deplorable victory of savage man over civilized society.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70c/edward-gibbon-710_barbarism_that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinkin_393.jpg)
