WHY EUROPE WILL RUN THE 21ST CENTURY - Softcover

Leonard

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0007195311 ISBN 13: 9780007195312

Publisher: Fourth Estate, 2005

Synopsis

Those who believe Europe to be weak and ineffectual are wrong. Turning conventional wisdom on its head Why Europe Will Run the 21st Century sets out a vision for a century in which Europe will dominate, not America. This is the book that will make your mind up about Europe.

Those who believe Europe is weak and ineffectual are wrong. Turning conventional wisdom on its head, Mark Leonard, one of the UK's most visionary thinkers, argues that Europe is remaking the world in its own image.

Europe only looks dead because it is seen through American eyes. But America's reach is shallow and narrow. It can bribe, bully or impose its will anywhere in the world, but when its back is turned its potency wanes. Europe's reach is broad and deep, spreading its values from Albania to Zambia. It brings other countries into its orbit rather than defining itself against them, and once countries come under the influence of its laws and customs they are changed for ever.

This book sets up a challenge: to regard Europe not as a tangle of bureaucracy and regulation, but as a revolutionary model for the future. We cannot afford to forget that Europe was founded to protect us against war and that it is now key to the spread of democracy. ‘Why Europe Will Run the 21st Century’ addresses Europe's place in the world, looks to the past and the future and argues, provocatively, that it can and will shape a new and better world order.

About this title

Review:

‘Mark Leonard deserves to be listened to.’ Independent

'Mark Leonard has done that rare thing; he has reshaped how we look at the world ... This is a refreshing, compelling and above all optimistic book that moves the European debate onto wholly new ground. British Eurosceptics beware.'
Will Hutton, author of ‘The State We're In’

‘Mark Leonard’s views are always adventurous and stimulating – and “Why Europe will run the 21st Century” sustains those attributes. It also confirms that, in useful contrast to the unilateralist ‘New American Century’ doctrine of US Republicans, Europe’s contribution to the era will be multilateralist. In the age of increased globalisation and intensified interdependence, that has the strength of common sense.’ Neil Kinnock

Synopsis:

Those who believe Europe to be weak and ineffectual are wrong. Turning conventional wisdom on its head Why Europe Will Run the 21st Century sets out a vision for a century in which Europe will dominate, not America. This is the book that will make your mind up about Europe. Why is this book important now? / This book is a timely, confident and optimistic antidote to recent events on the world stage, particularly to the alarming nature of US foreign policy. / With the referendum announced by Tony Blair taking place next year, it will become a crucial part of the debate, at a time when the people will be called upon to make a decision / Ten new countries joined the EU in May 2004 and a new US president will be sworn in early next year. Why Europe Will Run the 21st Century will be a perfectly-timed response to these two major events Why will Europe run the 21st century? / Europe only looks dead because it is seen through American eyes. In fact, America struggles to keep up with events through episodic military strikes that fail to tackle the causes of global problems. / Europe works in a more diffuse way.

It extends its influence through legislation, spreading its values across the world, from Russia to Rwanda. / Europe brings other countries into its orbit rather than defining itself against them, which is crucial at this volatile moment in our history. Its lack of a single leader allows it to expand to accommodate ever-greater numbers of countries without collapsing. / Although it is responsible for half our legislation and half our trade, and controls entire areas of policy from agriculture to environmental regulation, it is practically invisible. This subtle power is a tremendous source of strength. Why you need to read it: / Because most people don't really know what Europe is about. / Because this book tells you how to understand Europe's relationship with the rest of the world. / Because it will tell you how politics actually work. / Because the referendum will mean you will need to decide.

About this edition

• Publisher: Fourth Estate
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0007195311
• ISBN 13: 9780007195312
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 178