Debating Europe’s future

ABSTRACT

The European Union – including its precursors, the European Communities – has had many ups and downs since the beginning of institutionalized integration, in the 1950s. Yet the state of the EU today seems exceptionally grave. Debates about the future of European integration are as old as the EU itself. They are particularly prevalent at times of perceived crisis. The current debate takes place at a time of undoubted crisis, even polycrisis. This article discusses the course and contours of the current debate, by looking, first, at the global context in which the debate is taking place; second, at the EU context; and, third, at the contributions to, and overall significance of, the debate so far.

KEYWORDS:

• Future of Europe
• polycrisis
• European integration

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes on contributor

Desmond Dinan is Professor of Public Policy in the Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, Virginia, USA, and also holds an ad personam Jean Monnet Chair.