Europe's Coming of Age
European integration has had many successes and failures, Brexit being one of the biggest failures. Despite the setbacks, the EU has been acquiring more functions and members and has now reached a stage where it needs to become a political adult.
In this book, one of the world's leading authorities on Europe provides a lucid and wide-ranging appraisal of contemporary European affairs - of how the EU became what it is today and the key challenges Europeans must now confront. These challenges include the search for a common foreign and security policy that will also require a more symmetrical transatlantic relationship; the search for democracy beyond the nation state; more inclusive societies; the development of the euro into a fully fledged currency; a higher degree of autonomy in high technology; and the greening of economies.
In Tsoukalis' view, what is at stake in these challenges is whether the EU can exercise effective political power in a multipolar, highly asymmetrical and increasingly unstable world, and whether it can find a workable relationship between global markets and domestic social contracts. Willing and able countries should lead the way. The stakes are high - and not just for Europe. A declining and marginalized Europe would not be able to defend fundamental interests and values, including freedom and security for its citizens. And the world would greatly benefit from the moderating influence of a regional power that operates on the basis of broad consensus and compromise.
This bold and ambitious book, based on extensive experience of European affairs, will be of value to anyone interested in Europe and its future as well as anyone concerned with the great political challenges of our time.
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Loukas Tsoukalis is Emeritus Professor at the University of Athens, Affiliate Professor at the Paris School of International Affairs (Sciences Po) and President of the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP). He was adviser to the former President of the European Commission and the former President of the European Council.
'A vision of the EU's future based on lucid analysis without concessions but all imbued with a strong belief in the European project. This is the approach of one of the best experts on the Union, Loukas Tsoukalis, an engaged spectator. War and climate are creating a new world. The EU must be given the means to preserve and deepen its unique model. We are too dependent on others today to play a full geopolitical role. The EU must protect people better and make them stronger. We need more democracy and more leadership. I wholeheartedly agree with all these messages.'
Herman van Rompuy, Emeritus President of the European Council
'There are two reasons why this book is a masterpiece. The first is that no scholar can, better than Loukas Tsoukalis, make sense of the complex intertwining between European and national debates. The second is that a deep understanding of these debates requires both economic and political culture. Experience and depth are called for, and he has both.'
Jean Pisani-Ferry, Sciences Po, Paris / EUI, Florence / Bruegel, Brussels / PIIE, Washington DC
'This book is the story of a lifelong love affair. Loukas Tsoukalis is not unaware of how far from perfection is the object of his affections - the EU. But he does show how and why its creation and subsequent development have been not only essential, but also successful. It is a pity that so many in the UK fail to understand these great truths.'
Martin Wolf, Financial Times
'One of the most knowledgeable people about, and clearest writers on, the European Union sets out, in characteristically forthright and highly readable fashion, the challenges facing the Union, and how it should best respond to them. A must read for anyone who claims to be informed about the EU.'
Anand Menon, King's College London, Director of UK in a Changing Europe
