Introduction

Abstract

For much of the world, Europe exists only as a collection of stereotypes. It is old and decadent, imperialist and self-obsessed, irresponsible and yet still privileged. Such stereotypes have an air of truth to them, to be sure. The problem is that they do not shed much light on what we can learn from European experience. A closer look at developments in Europe provides a different and more meaningful picture. Europe’s political institutions are younger than they look, and many are still experimental. Europe’s history is long, but it is contested and prone to manipulation. Therefore, Europeans must fight hard to protect the gains they have made, and they must reconcile voices that complain about the costs of progress and those that suggest progress is somehow inevitable. What we should learn from European experience is just how difficult it is to maintain peace and prosperity. We should also learn that failure is always a possibility and yet should be rejected as an option. People who embrace violence over peaceful reconciliation should look to European history. What they will learn is how quickly global dominance can be lost, and how much greater are the compromises, sacrifices, and efforts that need to be made to protect national cultures as a consequence.