In the wake of the Greek and Irish crises last year, analysts predicted that the collapse of the eurozone might become the big story of 2011. But while our neighbors in North Africa and the Middle East have burst into full-blown revolution, all appears to be quiet on the Western front. Or does it?
As the dark clouds of austerity amass over the European continent, the EU’s economic powerhouse — Germany — still finds itself standing tall in the eye of the storm. But while the German economy ploughs on, concerns in Europe are rising about the country’s growing influence within the Union, as well as the increasingly isolationist stance of Merkel’s government and the protracted frictions in the Franco-German relationship. How can Europe address the challenges it confronts while its largest member state appears to be going it alone?
With the European periphery reeling on the brink of collapse, an unlikely friend has turned up offering financial assistance to those in need. What does the sudden arrival of this mystery buyer of European debt tell us about the relative decline of Europe and the rise of Asia? Should we be worried about the loss of European hegemony, and if so, is there anything we can do to stop it?
The workers uprising in Wisconsin has been going strong for a fortnight and is starting to spread across the region. Which made me wonder — what would our chubby old German friend have had to say about the Republican war on the unions, had he still been alive today?
Europe is in crisis. The Age of Austerity has begun and the old political rules are being re-written. Where are we headed in the coming months and what can we do to overcome the two greatest challenges of our time? Over the next two months, Breakthrough Europe will be addressing these pertinent questions in a series of analyses that aims to break new ground in the debate on Europe’s future.
Now that the world’s various stimulus packages have been exhausted and the Age of Austerity is in full swing, troubling signs — both political and economic — are emerging that the worst of the crisis is yet to come.
Overwhelmed by WikiLeaks, student protesters and Evo Morales, governments and corporations around the world are beginning to feel the heat from the swelling ranks of the global resistance movement.
Reflections on a Revolution (ROAR) is a global initiative to amplify the voice of our generation by providing a platform for creative expression and intelligent analysis.
ROAR aims to bring together contributors from a wide variety of backgrounds who will write opinion pieces on current affairs, with a special focus on development, sustainability, peace, global justice and intercultural understanding. What binds us together is our commitment to make this world a better place by unleashing human creativity and fostering a sense of global consciousness and compassion.
ROAR is an initiative of Spearhead Action Group, a non-profit organization that champions the creation of a more just and more sustainable world.