Europe’s Strategic Malaise: A Call for Pragmatism

The recent stage adaptation of Stefan Zweig’s Schachnovelle at Vienna’s Burgtheater concluded with the stark declaration: “Europe is lost, they blew it up.” Whereas the continent’s complete demise remains to be seen, a growing sense of strategic paralysis and internal division is palpable, particularly when contrasted with the assertive geopolitical maneuvering of the United States and China.

A Bureaucracy Without Influence

Critics increasingly point to the ineffectiveness of European foreign policy, characterizing it as a bureaucratic structure lacking real-world influence. As one recent commentary in the German publication Welt noted, the EU’s foreign policy apparatus has become a mere formality, a “bureaucracy with a telephone number that no one is looking for anymore.” [Source: European News Agency] This perceived weakness stems from the EU’s foundational emphasis on peace and cooperation, which, while laudable, may not be ideally suited for decisive strategic action and power projection.

From Grand Ambitions to Minor Regulations

The focus on seemingly minor regulatory issues, such as banning small plastic bottles in hotels, highlights a disconnect between the EU’s priorities and the pressing geopolitical challenges of the 21st century. [Source: Burgtheater] While such regulations may have merit, they underscore a tendency towards internal preoccupation at the expense of addressing larger strategic concerns.

The Failed Vision of a European Federal State

Former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi recently advocated for the rapid development of the EU into a federal state modeled after the United States. [Source: Burgtheater] However, this proposal faces significant obstacles. Historical precedent and ongoing disagreements, even on basic infrastructure matters like train station platform heights, suggest that achieving the level of political integration necessary for a truly unified European state is unlikely.

A “Ghostly Self-Deception”

Austrian legal philosopher Christoph Kletzer describes the current state of Europe as a “ghostly self-deception,” characterized by undead nation-states constrained by a weak central authority. [Source: Kunstreflektor] This situation is particularly concerning given the current global “polycrisis,” demanding decisive and coordinated action.

A Pragmatic Alternative: Re-Empowering Nation States

A more realistic approach, according to some observers, involves a pragmatic re-empowerment of individual nation-states – particularly Germany and France – to pursue their national interests in a coordinated manner. This would entail strengthening security policy cooperation and fostering a more free-market internal market, reducing existing trade barriers. The concept, reminiscent of Charles de Gaulle’s vision of a “Europe of resurgent fatherlands,” would allow nations to act independently while collaborating on issues of mutual concern.

A Coalition of the Willing

This approach would operate on a “coalition of the willing” basis, allowing nations to participate as they see fit. Countries like Hungary, with differing priorities, would be free to pursue their own course without hindering the progress of those committed to deeper integration and cooperation. While potentially representing a step backward from the ideal of a fully integrated Europe, this pragmatic approach may be the most viable path forward in the current geopolitical landscape.

Before the pessimistic assessment of a lost Europe becomes reality, a shift towards pragmatic cooperation and a renewed focus on national interests may be the continent’s best hope.