The question of the survival of Europe may be at least as old as the start of the Great European War in 1914, though there have been past iterations of the same anxiety since the realization of the decrepitude f the Western Roman Empire, split from its Eastern half, and facing waves of migration and economic uncertainties. The one thing that Europe appears to be able to endure, then, has been successive crises of survival--though in the process each crisis produces sometimes substantial transformations in and about the idea of Europe other than a space in which successive waves of migrating peoples can find a home, and in the process upend the old order.
It seems that, though it took a century to become fashionable, and in the context of the current challenges, Europeans again worry about survival. In a sense this returns Europe to the worries it faced after 1945 when the mother of old empire realized that it was now facing consumption either by the Eagle or the Bear (the bear has since disappeared to be replaced by an older version of itself, a hungry double headed Eagle) and worried that migrations from old imperial colonial experiments might overwhelm what the Eagles leave after they get done. In 1955, having rejected direct military and political union, Europe embarked on what for a time was the great success of its Union.
Today it is that Union that appears to be at the center of a new generation's worries. These are worries exacerbated by ancient trajectories of trouble--an aggressive semi-European empire bent on pretending that old imperial forms never go out of style and doing a reasonable job of making that a reality, migration, and what may appear to be a loss of identity in the detritus of what appears to have been a failed effort at global convergence around international institutions that only Europe took seriously enough for long enough to be negatively affected by even the appearance of its abandonment (or at least its transformation). Though these are all clothed in new robes, the pattern is ancient and the likely trajectories dangerous for a Europe that remains a surprisingly fragile space when it is pushed in just the right way.
This may be the context in which Susanne Baumann, German Ambassador to the UK, will host a reception to mark the publication of David Marsh’s new book, Can Europe Survive? The Story of a Continent in a Fractured World. The book's press release suggests both the starting perspective and the intended object:
Today, Europe finds itself in a fast-changing, polarised world dominated by Chinese-American rivalry. The European Union and its surrounding nonmember states, despite initial successes after the fall of the Berlin Wall, have failed to implement a strategy for success in the twenty-first century. Britain’s exit from the Union has weakened both sides, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has thrown these shortcomings into sharp relief. How should states across the continent position themselves in the decades to come?
Drawing on unpublished archives and interviews with over 150 leading figures, David Marsh investigates Europe’s present crisis, from the march of populism, Franco-German malaise, and the breakdown of relations with Putin’s Russia. Fault lines are emerging in the monetary union, while the fight against climate change has impacted growth. Facing its gravest test since the Second World War, Europe must find fresh reserves of resilience—and seek out renewed international partnerships to ensure success.
Marsh will be joined by Joachim Nagel, President, Deutsche Bundesbank, to discuss the findings of his book and monetary policy in the new geopolitical setting. This event is in person in London, with a limited number of places available. Priority will be given to OMFIF members. To register your interest please complete the form at this link
No comments:
Post a Comment