David Marsh‘s inspiring book on Europe’s past and future considers a serious, indeed profound question. Consequently it deserves diligent, insightful perusal and scrutiny rather than ritual endorsement by establishment figures.

In the 1970s, the French political philosopher Julien Freund – alumnus of Raymond Aron and admirer of Carl Schmitt – made a striking prognosis in his book on decadence. According to his penetrating analysis, Europe was on the path of decline but that path would not be inevitable, if courageous  statesmen confronted and reversed the trend.

David Marsh in his most recent book raises the same fundamental questions and guides the reader of his sophisticated prose  through the post-1989 history of the continent. He is well positioned for such a historic review followed by some thought provoking proposals to enhance European ”resilience”. His network of interviewees comprises an impressive number of experts and statesmen who contribute their insights to the text. Some, perhaps superfluously, also add personal endorsements to David Marsh’s great publication. (Weiterlesen …)