Why Europe Will Run the 21st Century

Those who believe Europe to be weak and ineffectual are wrong. Turning conventional wisdom on its head Why Europe Will Run the 21st Century sets out a vision for a century in which Europe will dominate, not America. This is the book that will make your mind up about Europe. Why is this book important now? / This book is a timely, confident and optimistic antidote to recent events on the world stage, particularly to the alarming nature of US foreign policy. / With the referendum announced by Tony Blair taking place next year, it will become a crucial part of the debate, at a time when the people will be called upon to make a decision / Ten new countries joined the EU in May 2004 and a new US president will be sworn in early next year. Why Europe Will Run the 21st Century will be a perfectly-timed response to these two major events Why will Europe run the 21st century? / Europe only looks dead because it is seen through American eyes. In fact, America struggles to keep up with events through episodic military strikes that fail to tackle the causes of global problems. / Europe works in a more diffuse way.
It extends its influence through legislation, spreading its values across the world, from Russia to Rwanda. / Europe brings other countries into its orbit rather than defining itself against them, which is crucial at this volatile moment in our history. Its lack of a single leader allows it to expand to accommodate ever-greater numbers of countries without collapsing. / Although it is responsible for half our legislation and half our trade, and controls entire areas of policy from agriculture to environmental regulation, it is practically invisible. This subtle power is a tremendous source of strength. Why you need to read it: / Because most people don’t really know what Europe is about. / Because this book tells you how to understand Europe’s relationship with the rest of the world. / Because it will tell you how politics actually work. / Because the referendum will mean you will need to decide.

Author Biography

Mark Leonard founded the leading independent think tank The Foreign Policy Centre at the age of 24, under the patronage of the British Prime Minister Tony Blair. It has had a huge influence on policies both of national and international government. When he was only 23, Mark wrote the famous pamphlet, Rebranding Britain, coining the phrase “Cool Britannia”. He has written regular commentary for all the leading newspapers and magazines, has presented the BBC’ Analysis programme, and has appeared as a commentator on CNN and on all of Britain’s most prestigious news programmes (from Today and Newsnight to the Jimmy Young Programme and Start the Week). Mark was named by the Sunday Times as one of the 500 most influential powerful people in Britain. He is 29 years old.