The battle of Europe’s utopias

The EU’s austerity policies have led to a fragmentation of its power, encouraging the rise of populist parties.

+ Postmodern Europe tried to put History – with its class warfare, belief systems, and ideologies – behind it

+ Populist ideologies are making their return, attractive not just to the average citizen, but also to many members of national elites

+ In this battle between utopias, ideas, and visions of Europe, those at the extremes embark on marriages of convenience and drown out moderate options

+ Europe is in need of a catharsis, but we are getting ever more bogged down in the clash of legitimacies and democracies

ESO: Background information: Europe’s history is key to understanding the current fault-lines in European politics http://www.europeansources.info/record/europes-history-is-key-to-understanding-the-current-fault-lines-in-european-politics/

ESO: Background information: Europe must listen to its people http://www.europeansources.info/record/europe-must-listen-to-its-people/

ESO: Background information: Populism in the EU: new threats to the open society? http://www.europeansources.info/record/populism-in-the-eu-new-threats-to-the-open-society/

ECFR: Commentary, 26.01.15: Greece: So yes, yes you can http://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_greece_so_yes_yes_you_can

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