European Integration: challenge and response. Crises as engines of progress in European integration history

Summary:

Given all aspects and developments of its current path, the European Union seems to discover its opportunities and encounters its global challenges in a way that reminds me of the work of Henry the Navigator in the 15th cen- tury: He sailed around Cape Bojador with hesitance, limited knowledge and caution, without clear goals and yet with curiosity to learn what might lie behind the Cape.

In the 15th century, Europe brought about the first wave of globalization. In the early 21st century, it seems to be the other way around: Globalization seems to slowly bring about a new rationale for European integration as it forces the EU to learn faster, to look further and to come together more convincingly.