Pascal Lamy – The President of the Commission We Need Now

I have just read Pascal Lamy ‘s March 2012 talk at Oxford University.

It is a powerful case on the benefits of globalization. It should be read.

It reads as the manifesto of the President of the European Commission. He should have been. Weaker men were afraid of his energy and brilliance and choose a weak man. We live with the results.

Pascal Lamy  is the leader the  European Commission deserves. Perhaps his frugality, knowledge, courtesy to colleagues, disdain for fools (in and outside the Commission) are qualities weak leaders fear.  They should be.

Charles Grant’s book on Jacques Delors portrayed Pascal Lamy, his chief of staff, as a man who turned around a loose and weak Commission into one that showed leadership and promoted free trade. It seems a good time to bring that man back to turn around Europe again.