Sweeping generalisations from Rune as usual.
Firstly, Europe is not some unified entity with a similar outlook, the differances in attitudes to trade, state intervention and religion are huge.
Next, you need to define ‘Europe’ because that could include Turkey, Ukraine, all the Balkan states, right through to Sweden, and Ireland.
It would be like trying to make some generalisation about South American nations.
In Serbia, there is almost a Nationalist/RelIgious outlook, whereas in France church and state are probably more seperated by legislation than is the case than the US.
The idea that the Anglican Church in the UK actually has any influence of power is, I’ll be charitable here, not as would appear from things such as the Bishops in the House of Lords, or all that Defender of the Faith stuff.
Religion in the UK for most practical purposes is completely ineffectual in state instruments, from legislation, to any kind of enforcement, to be quite honest, if they turned every church into an office block or multi-occupancy accomadation, 90% of UK residents would not care, and perhaps they wouldn’t even notice.
Comments about the efficacy of socialism, free markets and such are just a matter of opinion, and since such opinions are quite legally held views, condemnation or implied criticism of the polemic type shown by Rune simply shows up what an intolerant closed minded individual that person is, because no evidence or argument has been advanced by that person, just personal rhetoric, which isn’t likey to be of much relevance here in Great Debates.
There is an undercurrent in the UK, which is not noticed by the majority here, so you will not be aware of it at all in the US.
The current ‘Labour’ administration has moved so far over to the right, it is actually more right wing than the Conservative party, which is traditionally the UKs equivalent of the Republicans.
It is not so simple as it seems, the UK certainly does have a right wing administraion, but it does also have some left wing policies, but in any democracy you get out of character polices by an established administration.
The result of the move over to the right wing of all mainstream politicians is that it has caused a power vacuum as far as the British public are concerned, we who would occupy the middle ground are currently not represented in British politics, and this has been noticed by all sorts of unsavoury groups such as the overtly racist British National Party.
The result is that groups are forming in a broad coalition to satisfy this UK public expectation of politicians in this area, there is quite a strong groundswell which may well see the emergence of a true middle ground to left wing party in the UK.
I will not speak more of this centre left party, I know of groups and individuals involved, with some very big names indeed participating, but do not be surprised to see either a massive change on the Labour party as frightened MPs up for reelection seek funding and support, or, just as likely, the Liberals will suddenly become concerned for social cohesion, but the chances of that new party emerging are strong, the process of doing this is well underway.