Vision for Europe 2020

An international all-star cast of thinkers, artists, and policy makers joins forces for a transparent, united, democratic Europe. The 2020 Edition features contributions by Kate Aronoff, Bill McKibben, Evgeny Morozov, Jerome Roos, and more. The European Union was an exceptional achievement. It brought together and in peace peoples speaking different languages and submersed in different cultures, proving that it was possible to create a shared framework of human rights across a continent that was not long ago tormented by murderous chauvinism, racism, and barbarity. It could have been the proverbial Beacon on the Hill, showing the world how peace and solidarity may be snatched from the jaws of age-old conflict and bigotry. But things turned out differently. Today, a common bureaucracy and a common currency divide Europeans who were beginning to unite despite their different languages and cultures. A confederacy of myopic politicians, economically naive officials, and financially incompetent 'experts' submit slavishly to the edicts of financial and industrial conglomerates, alienating people and stirring up a dangerous anti-European backlash. Proud peoples are being turned against each other. Nationalism, extremism and racism are being re-awakened. With contributions from some of the world's foremost thinkers, artists and politicians covering the full spectrum of concerns for the future of the Union, this volume presents realistic and viable alternatives to the mainstream barrage of dreadful prospects a true vision for Europe. "e;A book that gives hope and provides solutions to break the doom loop. A must-read for all citizens who do not want to abandon Europe to the neoliberals and the nationalists."e; Thomas Picketty"e;Now more than ever, it is tempting to believe that there is no alternative to financialised capitalism. This collection of rigorous policy proposals, lucid analysis, and courageous creative thinking breaks free of this doctrine to chart a course toward a democratic, liberated, social Europe."e; Paul Mason"e;This volume questions the notion of the EU being a private members club and offers, instead, a vision: one that supersedes the utopia-turned-realism that has been zombied into a set of nationalistic and intellectually limited concerns and turns it into a collaborative space and culture of commons."e; Markus Miessen"e;An incredibly timely book and a very much needed initiative. The progressives all around the world need to talk, join forces, network, exchange ideas and create a community of knowledge that will enable us, the people, to create a better and fairer future for all."e; Frank Barat"e;What sort of Europe do we want? That of the failed neoliberal centre in service to corporate power? That of the creeping fascists peddling nationalism and racism? Or the Europe of working people fighting for equality, democracy, peace, and sustainability? This superb collection of short essays offers a compelling vision of that progressive alternative."e; Neil Faulkner