Abstract
In this book, Jan Zielonka addresses a contentious question in today's politics: Will the EU survive the contemporary crisis? The answer lies in the author's neo-medievalist vision, whereby the downfall of the Westphalian model of the EU will pave the way to the reconstruction of a new order characterised by flexibility, overlapping authority, functional integration and fuzzy borders. In his view, the break-up of the EU will strengthen rather than weaken European integration.
The book begins with an analysis of the contemporary European malaise, rooted in the crises of cohesion, imagination and trust. Given these premises, the downfall of the EU polity will be inevitable. The author identifies three scenarios of disintegration: the inability of the EU establishment to handle economic and political events; the pursuit of ambitious federalist reforms; or a benign-neglect policy. Nonetheless, the EU's positive achievements, coupled with the ‘fear of the unknown’ (p. 55), will prevent the abandonment of the European project. Reintegration may materialise in state-dependent forms – the United States of Europe or a German-led Federal Republic of Europe – deemed incapable of appealing to citizens’ enthusiasm. For Zielonka, the only viable option would be a neo-medieval Europe.
For its clarity, the book will appeal to both students and non-experts interested in the destiny of the European polity. It offers a cogent analysis of the economic, political and institutional problems affecting the EU machinery and a convincing discussion of the possible scenarios for reintegration. However, possible developments emerging from a state-centred differentiated integration (e.g. multi-speed Europe) are dismissed. Furthermore, the theorisation of a neo-medieval Europe, although intriguing, does not provide an entirely new contribution to the field of European Studies. The scenario of ‘a more flexible, decentralized and hybrid Europe’ (p. 75) characterised by the weakening of the nation state and dominated by networks and clubs of state and non-state, public and private actors draws on the main arguments of multilevel governance scholarship. Similarly, the emphasis on large cities and regions as engines of European integration recalls the literature on regionalism in Europe. However, Zielonka breaks the interdependence between regionalisation and Europeanisation, envisaging the shrinking of the powers and influence of the EU institutions.
It is indubitable that the shaking of the EU's foundations is providing opportunities for local authorities and non-governmental organisations to influence European politics. However, the author provides too little evidence to persuade readers that the European new medievalism would rescue European integration.