EU Futures

In this episode, Olya Yordanyan talks to Eva Hausteiner [@evahausteiner], political theorist, intellectual historian, and author of "Greater than Rome" (Campus 2015), about the opening of new future(s) for Europe in the aftermath of recent crises. There is, Hausteiner says, despite the narrative of lack of alternatives, a renewed interest on the part of European citizens in revitalizing the European project. We are at a crossroads where multiple futures are possible. Hausteiner also talks about her research on federalism and her interest in competing conceptions of federalism, arguing that the EU is already a federal association. [Date of interview: February 23, 2017]

In this episode Olya Yordanyan talks to Emile Chabal [@emile_chabal], Chancellor's Fellow in History at the University of Edinburgh, about the uncertainty in Europe and about how to redefine the European project in a way that addresses people's disillusion and dissatisfaction with current political arrangements. Chabal contrasts the highly individualized conception of "choice" that emerged under neoliberalism with the collective choice on which Europe's future depends. [Date of interview: February 23, 2017]

In this episode, Olya Yordanyan talks to German journalist Georg Diez about emerging forms of democracy and his own work to develop platforms in order to promote democratic discourse and to connect citizens around the globe to the promise of the future, something lost in light of recent institutional failures. Diez emphasizes the importance of citizen involvement, and even effort, for democracies to function. [Date of interview: February 15, 2017]

In this episode, Felix Krawatzek draws on his research on how ideas about the future come into the play in the present in order to describe current trends in Europe, notably, the recent deviation in wake of the Brexit vote, from a linear path of "ever closer union." He shares his belief that European citizens remain committed to - and ready to defend - liberal values. It is therefore important for the EU, as the institutional embodiment of "Europe", to reassert its commitment to values and principles versus what Krawatzek calls "deals", referring to the sorts of metrics that characterized the Brexit debate. [Date of interview: February 13, 2017]

In this episode, Olya Yordanyan talks to Erik Jones about the idea of "Europe" and why it has losing currency in the face of populist challenges . He describes the failure of European democracy and the need for a compelling vision that to counter the rising nationalism that is keeping Europe mired in the present. He expresses his admiration for the single currency, among other accomplishments of the EU, but admits the need for Europe to communicate better, not only with its own citizens, but with its neighbors. If Europe does not rise to the challenge, he says, it will create an outsized role for the United States, with unfortunate consequences we are already seeing. [Date of interview: February 10, 2017]

In this episode, German political scientist Florian Böller talks to Olya Yordanyan about the emerging future in Europe. The problems facing Europe, he explains, cannot be solved at the level of the nation state, so it is imperative for Europe to move beyond its current crises and to rebuild trust in European institutions. He describes the the election of Trump in the United States as an opportunity for Europe to assume a larger role in world affairs. [Date of interview: February 6, 2017]

In this episode, Prof. Sofia Perez talks to Toria Rainey about the state of democracy in Europe and some of the reasons behind the emergence of far right and "new left" populism. She explains the causes of the fiscal instability plaguing Europe and the current disagreements over the best way forward for Europe: deeper integration or re-establishment of national sovereignty. [Date of interview: February 1, 2017]

In this episode, Bruce Leimsidor talks to our program assistant Toria Rainey about the emerging future in Europe with a focus on the refugee crisis. Leimsidor explains the importance of differentiating refugees from other migrants to avoid political backlash. From the sociopolitical arrangements in France, to Angela Merkel’s Germany, and from the future of Italy, from Sweden’s growing democratic party, Leimsidor unpacks the immense role the migrant crisis plays in envisioning the future of Europe. [Date of interview: December 1, 2016]

n this episode, Ruxandra Paul uses her background in cyber politics and transnational flows of both information and ideas to explain the importance of migration patterns as they pertain to the future of Europe. Paul explains the need for easily traversable borders to allow for access to employment opportunities across country borders, something she deems a facet of the European lifestyle. From coping with transnational issues like terrorism to figuring out how to meet expectations when it comes to democracy, Paul discusses the details of navigating the sociopolitical future of Europe. [Date of interview: December 8, 2016]

In this episode, Peter Verovšek shares his opinion on the importance of the EU in age of globalization and uncertainty. He discusses the future of the European Common Security and Defense Policies, in addition to stressing the necessity for a deepening institutions related to the banking system and social policies to counterbalance the rise of populist candidates in European elections. [Date of interview: December 6, 2016]