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Superpower Europe: The European Union's Silent Revolution

Superpower Europe

The European Union is in a state of revolution. In response to new global realities from the climate crisis to the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine to the emerging cold war with China, the EU is transforming into a federal superpower in a new world order.

In this timely intervention, Marc De Vos gets to the heart of the challenges facing the European Union as it undergoes this silent revolution. Charting its changing mission and identity from a European community into a geostrategic coalition of Eurasian countries; from a union of values into a union of power; and from a market project into a state project, he exposes what's at stake for both the EU itself and its partners across the world. But retaining this new superpower status, he cautions, is not a given. The European Union's de facto metamorphosis must mature into a democratic political structure or it risks a crisis of legitimacy that could ultimately threaten the stability of the European Union itself.

Table of Contents

List of Abbreviations

Introduction: Silent Revolution in Europe
1 Fault Lines
2 A Geostrategic Project
3 A Superpower Project
4 A State Project
5 The Crossroads
Conclusion: Europe’s Choice

Afterword: Five Beacons
Notes

Press articles:

July 26th 2024: The Parliament Magazine

Reviews

"If Europe does not do geopolitics then geopolitics will shape Europe. The opportunities and challenges facing the new ‘Superpower Europe’ are revealed in this striking book."
Herman Van Rompuy, former President of the European Council

"A lucid and convincing analysis of Europe's necessary response to the new world disorder. De Vos sees a new European Union emerging, defined by geostrategic choices, power politics, and state capitalism."
Luuk van Middelaar, Author of Pandemonium: Saving Europe and founder of the Brussels Institute for Geopolitics

"Marc De Vos outlines vividly the crossroads in history at which Europe finds itself and the major challenges that lie ahead."
Alexander De Croo, Prime Minister of Belgium

"An incisive exploration of the EU's evolution, masterfully dissecting its strategies, challenges and potential in a complex global order. Essential for grasping Europe's dynamic role on the world stage."
Enrico Letta, President of the Jacques Delors Institute and former Prime Minister of Italy

"This book is important and insightful. Read it! Europe is at a crossroads in a fast-changing world. The proposals here for a multi-layered, defence-oriented, democratic, stronger and larger EU are compelling – and the UK must be part of it."
Sir Nick Harvey, former UK Defence Minister and CEO of the European Movement (UK)

"Marc De Vos walks us through the growing pains of a Europe randomly but rapidly developing into a real Union, each solution leading to more problems. If EU politics needs focus, Superpower Europe points the way forward."
Guy Verhofstadt, President of European Movement International, MEP and former prime minister of Belgium

"Reflection on the future of Europe is needed more than ever. As always, Marc De Vos colours and enriches the debate with his insights."
Johan Van Overtveldt, Member of the European Parliament and former Belgian finance minister

“compelling […] a bold vision”
The Parliament Magazine