Where in the world are we today? And tomorrow?
This article is my response to Stanley Hoffmann's Obstinate or Obsolete? The Fate of the Nation-State and the Case of Western Europe (1966). First of all, it should be mentioned that Hoffmann was somewhat sceptical of the regional integration movement in Europe. Considering the timing of this writing—when Charles de Gaulle was making significant moves... Continue Reading →
In the wake of the Brussels terrorist attack of 2016, the Juncker Commission made considerable efforts towards an effective and genuine Security Union. This article assesses the outline of the Security Union as envisioned by the Juncker Commission. It then examines the fundamental changes that emerged with the inauguration of the von der Leyen Commission,... Continue Reading →
The European Union has always been evolving in its institutional reform and enlargement, to bring European nations together as an ever-closer union. At the same time, nationalist movements have emerged in recent decades, notably in Scotland, Catalonia and Flanders, among others. The possibility of smaller regions breaking off from existing European countries and rejoining the... Continue Reading →
German Chancellor Merkel called him ‘childish’, and French President Macron used the phrase ‘what arrogance’. These were the remarks concerning Dutch Prime Minister Rutte at the Special European Council meeting on 20-21 February 2020 (Pieters, 2020), where the heads of EU member states gathered to discuss the EU’s long-term budget. Work on the multiannual financial... Continue Reading →
Following the end of the Second World War, Europe saw numerous attempts of regional integration. While many initiatives remained at the intergovernmental level or simply failed, the Schuman Plan prevailed, adequately addressing the age-long Franco-German problem and paving a new platform for lasting prosperity and peace of Europe. The motivations for this European integration effort... Continue Reading →
Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union clearly states that the EU is founded upon the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights. The EU institutions abide by these values in every action, and the Member States are expected to do the same... Continue Reading →
The Pragmatic Globalist 