Tag Archives: Europe

Begrensde opvang is de oplossing

    Grenzen zijn filters, geen muren. Het lijkt slechts semantiek, maar in deze constatering ligt naar mijn mening een goed startpunt voor een oplossing voor het ingewikkelde debat over vluchteling en de grenzen van Europa. Landgrenzen hebben niet twee standen – dicht of open – maar geven een samenleving de kans om controle uitContinueContinue reading “Begrensde opvang is de oplossing”

Europa van binnenuit: gelovigen en bureacraten

De oud-president van Tsjechië, Vaclav Klaus, meent dat de Europese Unie twee mythische projecten koestert: de gemeenschappelijke munt en het klimaatbeleid. Daar mag niet aan getornd worden. Derk Jan Eppink haalt de niet onomstreden Klaus aan om te laten zien dat de euro niet gebaseerd is op economische analyse, maar op het geloof dat deContinueContinue reading “Europa van binnenuit: gelovigen en bureacraten”

The Future of Europe

What is to become of Europe, now that it is in the midst of a perfect storm of several crises: recovering from a deep recession, coping with an unprecedented number of asylum seekers and refugees, not being able to protect its borders, terrorist attacks and – as a result – declining trust of its citizens?ContinueContinue reading “The Future of Europe”

The migration dilemma

In times of great emotion taking some distance can generate new perspectives. For sure, in dealing with the huge immigration crisis in Europe rational analysis is of great help in finding workable answers. This is an interesting, factual look at arguably the biggest challenge we’ve been facing for a while on the Old Continent. TheContinueContinue reading “The migration dilemma”

Reis naar het continent – Mathieu Segers (2013)

This is a very well researched account of the creation of Europe, from World War II to the present day, with quite some technical details. Nevertheless, Segers never loses his general thread. He starts with stressing that the unification of Europe was a strongly held wish from the United States (“building Europe”) and that thereContinueContinue reading “Reis naar het continent – Mathieu Segers (2013)”

The importance of insititutional reform – lessons for Greece

A recent Foreign Affairs article draws a parallel between the Greek crisis and how Latvia recovered from its own crisis. The lesson – one that we learn over and over again – is clear: unless accompanied by substantial institutional reforms, neither austerity nor Grexit will work. I furthermore hope that Tsipras finds the time toContinueContinue reading “The importance of insititutional reform – lessons for Greece”

Is the EU doomed? – Jan Zielonka (2014)

The short answer is: yes, the EU is doomed (and will only survive in minimal form), but Europa will further integrate and have a bright future. Zielonka foresees a European structure led by cities, regions and NGO’s. I not only think this is a realistic option, but also one that I could support. It’s moreContinueContinue reading “Is the EU doomed? – Jan Zielonka (2014)”

De Kracht van het Paradijs – Jonathan Holslag (2014)

The latest book by the Belgian prodigy (32 year-old professor of  International Relations in Brussels). His analyses are stronger than his solutions and the book as a whole is somewhat chaotic – large parts of the book deserve better editing – but as an overview of Europa as an idea it’s a tour de forceContinueContinue reading “De Kracht van het Paradijs – Jonathan Holslag (2014)”