Brexit is a local version of the post-liberal condition of contemporary Europe. Brexit has demonstrated the disillusionment with the ruling political class, the rise of alternative values, and the chaos caused by a break with the past with no clear alternatives provided. This rupture is dramatic and its implications are profound. It is therefore no exaggeration to say that we are living in revolutionary or counter-revolutionary times.
Brexit may look like a special case, but Poland, Holland, Austria, Denmark, France and Italy all have their own turbulent experiences, with Germany slowly catching the illiberal virus from its neighbours. A mishandled Brexit will make the situation worse, not just in economic terms, but also in terms of democracy and political culture.
Three universal lessons
First, and most obviously, Brexit is a typical case of voters’ rebellion against the centre-right and centre-left politicians who have been in charge of their governments for the last three or more decades. Voters are no longer putting up with oligarchical parties and decisions taken by unelected bodies. They have had enough of inefficient migratory and foreign policies creating enemies and incubating terrorists.
