future of europe

Europe’s divisions over war in Iraq have not prevented it agreeing the enlargement of ten new members and an constitutional treaty. What will a continent-wide European Union look like? Which vision of Europe do you want? Start with our interactive visions map, or dip into Europe Prophecies, a rolling diary of stories from the corners of Europe. And if you want to know what's new with the European Constitution, read what Convention members Frans Timmermans and Jens-Peter Bonde have to say - they're living it. Send your own thoughts to openEuropa@openDemocracy.net, or post on the discussion board...
Wednesday 8th February

Hungary: democracy through twilight

Anton Pelinka, 8 February 2012
The sweeping reform programme of Viktor Orbán's Hungarian government is provoking alarm among its domestic critics and European partners alike. But its economic policies as well as its political ambitions deserve to be put under the microscope, says Anton Pelinka.
Monday 6th February

How to understand Hungary

George Schöpflin, 6 February 2012
The portrayal of Hungary and its current government by the international media and external actors is one-sided and lacks context, says the academic and Fidesz member of the European parliament, György Schöpflin. The effects are felt within the country, and raise deeper questions about the European Union and its underlying values.
Thursday 19th January

The water finds its crack: an Armenian in Turkey

Hrant Dink, 19 January 2012
The "Agos" editor killed in Istanbul on 19 January 2007 speaks for life and truth. Plus: Hratch Tchilingirian on Dink's background, and Fatma Müge Göçek on memory and hope
Tuesday 17th January

Hungary: democracy crisis, diagnosis and appeal

László Rajk, 17 January 2012
The government of Hungary led by Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz party is alarming many by its establishment of ever-greater control over the country’s institutions and public life. A group of thirteen Hungarian intellectuals and public figures, who opposed Hungary’s communist regime in the 1970s - among them Gabor Demsky, Miklós Haraszti, György Konrád, and László Rajk - outline their concerns and call on Europe to help halt a slide to a new dictatorship.
Friday 13th January

Europe and democracy-promotion: making good

Jacqueline Hale, 13 January 2012
The Arab uprisings of 2011 are provoking the European Union into a rethink of its approach to encouraging democracy in its neighbourhood. A European Endowment for Democracy with a new kind of mandate could be at the centre, says Jacqueline Hale
Friday 30th December

Europe's problem, Poland's perspective

Krzysztof Bobinski, 30 December 2011
The still uncertain outcome of the eurozone crisis makes predictions for 2012 difficult. But its singular impact in the European Union's newer member-states could include a revived appreciation of the benefits of federalism, says Krzysztof Bobinski.
Thursday 22nd December

2011, lessons of hubris

Kerem Oktem, 22 December 2011
The Arab uprisings expose the self-delusion of the powerful - from the region itself to Turkey, Germany and the rest of Europe. This is a moment to register and build on, says Kerem Oktem.
Wednesday 21st December

2012, democracy's monster

Goran Fejic, 21 December 2011
The inspiring release of human agency in the Arab world, and its abject surrender in Europe, defines the passing year. Together they present a democratic test on an epic scale, says Goran Fejic.

2012, and Europe's high stakes

Andre Wilkens, 21 December 2011
A historic year in the Arab world has also been a desperate one for Europe. But the sheer depth of commitment to Europe is a source of hope, says Andre Wilkens.
Wednesday 14th December

Silvio Berlusconi's legacy

Geoff Andrews, 14 December 2011
It is a month since Italy's long-term prime minister resigned. But his pervasive influence on Italy's public life and the infirmity of the country's political class mean that it is too early to call this the post-Berlusconi era, says Geoff Andrews.
Thursday 8th December

Europe: from crisis to opportunity

Cas Mudde, 8 December 2011
The origin of the eurozone crisis lies in the overreach of the Maastricht treaty of 1992. A new process is needed to set the European Union on a new course - but this must have explicit popular consent at its heart, says Cas Mudde.
Tuesday 6th December

Europe: after the endgame

Nick van Praag, 6 December 2011
The eurozone crisis reveals the exhaustion of the post-1945 model of Europe-building. This poses a historic challenge to Europe's current leaders, says Nick van Praag.
Tuesday 29th November

Europe's choice: Monnet vs de Gaulle

Charles Grant, 29 November 2011
The pressure of financial crisis is changing the European Union's internal power-balance. The rival visions of two of its pioneering statesmen are in play, says Charles Grant.
Tuesday 11th October

Poland's election, European lesson

Krzysztof Bobinski, 11 October 2011
Poland's competent centre-right government has earned it a popular vote for stability and continuity. But the sharp rise of a minority party reveals a generation's parallel hunger for change, says Krzysztof Bobinski.
Wednesday 5th October

Nicolas Sarkozy: on the precipice

Patrice de Beer, 5 October 2011
An insipid economy, a tornado of scandal, anaemic support, an alienated core, internecine war on the right, a show of opposition unity - France’s president faces a perfect storm all of his making. But are these really Sarkozy’s last days, asks Patrice de Beer.

Poland: 1920 and all that

Adam Szostkiewicz, 5 October 2011
Even the most heroic and tragic moments of Poland’s modern history - the battle of Warsaw, the Katyn massacre, the Warsaw uprising - are subject to contentious political debate. A new cinematic epic is no exception, says Adam Szostkiewicz.
Tuesday 4th October

Bulgaria’s tense week: spark, fire, and solvent

Daniel Smilov, 4 October 2011
A local incident turned national conflict mixing anti-Roma sentiment and nationalist mobilisation reveals flaws in Bulgaria’s political order that demand a coherent response, says Daniel Smilov.
Thursday 29th September

Europe's eastern question

Krzysztof Bobinski, 29 September 2011
Poland is hosting a summit on 29-30 September 2011 that seeks to strengthen the European Union's relationship with its eastern neighbours. The great events in the Arab world reinforce the timeliness of the effort. But the larger uncertainties over the union's future may delay real progress, says Krzysztof Bobinski.
Friday 9th September

Germany: the beleaguered European island

Ulrike Guerot, 9 September 2011
Many outward economic indicators still tell a story of German success. Inside, there are many signs of a troubled country lacking a strategic vision for itself and for Europe. The eurozone financial crisis highlights this vacuum - but the heart of the problem is political, says Ulrike Guérot.
Monday 25th July

Europe: from crisis to integration

John Palmer, 25 July 2011
The latest European bailout agreement opens the possibility of a decisive move towards integrated economic governance with major political consequences, says John Palmer.
Syndicate content