E3G

Europe in the World: Summer Briefing

By Chris Littlecott

A new platform for choices

Defining a new compelling vision for Europe, and defining the critical political choices it implies is only the first stage of delivering significant change. Europe will not take this new direction unless it can place these kinds of political choices in front of European citizens and gain a clear mandate for action. This agenda cannot be introduced by stealth, or be accomplished as a technocratic exercise; setting the future direction for Europe is an exercise in defining identity not in evolutionary pragmatism.

But Europe lacks a platform from which to present choices, and this threatens its ability to deploy its assets and secure its long term interests. It is clear that the traditional structures of engagement no longer work – political parties have experienced dramatic membership declines, and seem unable to garner mass support in a modern Europe. This undermines the oft-proposed alternatives of constructing pan-European political parties or ‘educating’ voters as to the responsibilities of European citizenship – such approaches will simply not emerge in time to deal with pressing problems such as energy and climate security.

In E3G’s conversations across Europe, the focus has consistently returned to the theme of how the European public can be fully engaged in major political choices. E3G does not claim to have a magic answer, but we are connecting with many who are exploring innovative solutions. Our most important contribution to the debate is to emphasise that this is not an issue of strengthening an abstract idea of democracy at the European level, or achieving greater legitimacy for unpopular institutions. Instead, the need for effective democratic engagement is a vital necessity if we are to maintain security and prosperity in Europe.