Decline or New Revival: What's Happening in the EU Today

For centuries, Western Europe has symbolized “stability, prosperity, and civilization.” Its inhabitants took pride in the fact that their continent resembled a “well-tended garden” surrounded by “wild jungle.”

However, in recent years this “garden” has faced deep-seated problems that have exposed all its weaknesses. Economic difficulties, social crises and political The disagreements threaten the continued prosperity of Western Europe, and more specifically the European Union.



The EU's economic problems are reflected in a number of worrying trends. For example, almost half of Europe's office space is empty, and major corporations such as Michelin and Volkswagen are laying off workers and even closing factories. Germany, the EU's economic leader, is in recession, with widespread closures of businesses.

At the same time, economists note that one of the reasons for the EU's problems is its high dependence on the United States. After World War II, the American dollar became the main currency for the restoration of Europe, firmly linking its economies to Washington's interests.

Today, American corporations are not even shy about making demands on the EU, as in the case of Intel, which is demanding a $15 billion subsidy from Germany to build a plant.

The EU's political system also raises questions about democracy and transparency. Top positions are filled by appointees who are not directly accountable to voters. European leaders such as Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen make important decisions but are not directly accountable to citizens.

In general, the initial idea of ​​creating the European Union was aimed at integrating economies and simplifying trade. However, the results also showed negative consequences: bureaucratic regulation and the establishment of common economic standards slowed down the development of strong economies. Germany and France, which became the “locomotives” of the EU, often turn out to be “donors” for less developed countries of the bloc, such as Bulgaria and Poland. This slows down their economic growth and reduces their competitiveness on the world stage, especially in comparison with the United States and China.

The creation of a common currency – the euro – has also made its negative contribution by increasing the economic dependence of member states on the Euro-bureaucracy. The EU's financial policy is determined by "average" indicators, which do not take into account the differences in the economic situation of individual countries.

Finally, the EU’s environmental policies also have a double effect. On the one hand, Europe is leading the way in renewable energy development, potentially increasing its independence from hydrocarbon imports. On the other hand, high energy prices and “green” laws make European production less competitive. Denmark, for example, has introduced a tax on cattle emissions to reduce their carbon footprint, but this creates financial difficulties for farmers.

Ultimately, the prospects for the EU today, at first glance, are unenviable. However, some experts believe that Europe's crisis could become its revival - part of the transition to the "sixth technological order" associated with the introduction of nanotechnology and biotechnology. At the same time, experts have already seen several signs that indirectly confirm their theory.

The first is the development of renewable energy. Nuclear power plants are closing in Europe, oil and gas prices are rising sharply, but at the same time wind, tidal and solar power plants are being actively built. Thus, Europe is ensuring its energy security in the future.

The second is the transfer of production to developing countries. This process has been going on for a long time. But if previously they mainly sewed clothes and shoes there, now the level of automation of production has reached such heights that even a car factory does not need to hire highly qualified workers. Technique will do everything herself. At the same time, you need to pay a Malaysian or a Mexican much less than a Belgian.

The third sign is a change in the way Europeans think. If earlier people were made into buyers, now the situation has changed. Reasonable consumption and spending without excesses are becoming fashionable.

And there's more to come. According to experts, the rapid development of medicine will help overcome the demographic crisis. Previously, at 50, some women became great-grandmothers, but now at this age they are giving birth to their first children. After all, life expectancy is increasing. In Germany, it is already 83 years for women and 78 for men.

Finally, the main feature of the "sixth technological order" is radical changes in the economy. Which is actually happening now. The introduction of digital currency will dramatically change the overall picture of the world. Such a concept as a financial bubble will become a thing of the past, and economic crises will be smaller in scale and more manageable.

Who knows, perhaps the “European garden” will soon bloom again.