A couple of years ago Joschka Fischer, the German minister of Foreign Affairs
articulated his European dream, calling for a specification of the 'Finalität', that is the
ultimate goal of the process of European integration. It came at a moment that Europe is
challenged by two conflicting developments - globalization and localization - labeled by
Tom Courchene as 'glocalization' [Watts 1994]. The outcome of the process of
European integration is still unclear, but will be in line with the striking characterization of
Alexis de Tocqueville of the original idea of the American federation
