Why Is the European Union Being Deconstructed?

Abstract

The European Union must be strengthened by better involvement of Civil Society . Societal coexistence between the various local cultures in the Union is anchored in three principles that are as simple as they are powerful. - Primacy of all human life (including equality of genders and equality of minorities); - Rule of law (including equality of all citizens in- and under the law); and - Democracy and secular governance (including autonomy of State and Church). These genetically and racially neutral values have given the Union the means and resilience to guarantee diversity and peace. The 2012 Nobel Peace Prize is a testimony to the success of the Union to ensuring peace between its Member States: “At a time of uncertainty, this reminds people across Europe and the world of the Union's fundamental purpose: to further the fraternity between European nations, now and in the future.” Now, the Union has to find its way in the 21st Century. Idealistic blindness and political naivety will deconstruct the Union and do as much damage as terrorist attacks. The Union has let external events take their course. It is forcing to be reactive rather than being able to shape its vision for the future. In view of the hyper-connected World and the digitalized global economy, the authors recommend: The EU needs to undertake a comprehensive reality check: agree on a realistic moral compass and develop an implementable “Grand Design”. Civil Society MUST be part of this process. In an attempt to wrestle the discourse away from the opportunists and populists on all sides of the spectrum, this paper analyses the situation and identifies fundamental principles and cornerstones of Europe and the European Union that need to be at the basis of political solutions. The EU MUST remain a union of shared values.