Collapse: Europe After The European Union

by Ian Kearns

It is now commonplace to hear people say the EU is embroiled in an existential crisis. Indeed, Brexit may mean the process of EU disintegration has already begun. However, while much political and journalistic attention is centred on describing the EU's woes, far less attention is being paid to what the consequences of such a disintegration might be. From the terrorist and migration crises facing the Continent to the new threat from Russia, and from the euro's unending fragility to the rise of a new, Eurosceptic politics, Ian Kearns tells the story of the biggest crisis to hit Europe since the end of the Second World War. It makes clear just what is at stake. With the EU in a far more fragile state than many realise, Collapse sets out the specific scenarios that could lead to the breakdown of the European Union. It charts the catastrophic economic, political and geopolitical developments likely to follow should such a collapse occur. And it offers bold solutions to challenge those in positions of authority to build a new, reformed union one capable of riding out the storm and of positioning Europe for success in the remainder of the twenty-first century. Drawing on the author's extensive network of senior political, diplomatic, military and business leaders from across the Continent, Collapse tells the story of Europe's super-crisis from within. Both an urgent warning and a passionate call to action, it seeks to defend not just the EU but the seven decades of peace and progress the union represents.

Genres: Politics

260 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 17, 2018

Reviews

[Humphrey Hawksley · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Britain, the focus is entirely on leaving the European Union and splits within the ruling Conservative Party. Just across the channel, however, things are falling apart as Ian Kearns in Collapse explains with chilling clarity. Brexit is one fracture of many. Crises on currency, economies, nationalism, migration, racism, separatism and the outdated monolithic beast that is the European Union strains with hubris, vested interests and lack of leadership. Just as Britain has ‘failed utterly’ to articulate its European strategy, so the European Union, locked in principles that no longer work, has abandoned any overarching vision of itself. Meanwhile, autocratic forces led by Russia and China are already undermining democratic institutions and once they have traction they will be difficult to stop. Europe has been here before many times over the centuries, most recently in the 1930s. Believe me, we don’t want to even start going there again. If you read only one book on Europe, read Collapse because for the first time we are told where we may be heading and why.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ian Kearns' analysis of the crisis facing the European Union is clear, accessible and engaging. Avoiding both the jargon and the hysteria that so often surrounds discussion of Europe, it outlines the various events that might trigger a political and economic collapse and describes a number of scenarios by which that collapse might unfold.

Patiently unpicking the mistakes made in response to former problems, the author highlights the ways in which politicians have focused on the conflicting interests of member states rather than on common solutions, and considers how the ambitions of external parties such as Russia, China and the USA have been allowed to play into the situation, constantly seeking out influence and advantage.

What I found most powerful about this book was the vision it summons up of a post-EU Europe, a continent of winners and losers, governed by power politics and reminiscent of the Cold War years but without the stability that the stalemate of two opposing superpowers afforded that era.

Collapse offers both a warning of the consequences as a system of governance built on cooperation and shared values comes under relentless attack, and a consideration of the measures that are necessary to protect that system. As such, it is essential reading for anyone who wants to engage with the emerging political and economic history of Europe.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a strange one to me as I am still unsure how I truly think about this book.

I view this book in two sections, the first section is what is going on and why did it happen and the second section is what might happen and predictions. I must say I did enjoy the second section much more compared to the first but it still doesn't make for a strong read.

The issue I have with this book and this will not relate to everyone is that it does not provide any new or unique insight on the tumultuous situation of the EU. If you have been a persistent follower of literature and the news regarding the EU and Brexit over the years, none of the reasons that are mentioned in this book surprise you or provide you with anything new, it has all be mentioned before.

In terms of writing, I found it quite bland and struggled to read this book for a consistent period of time but it was a relatively easy read that highlighted some important things that will be useful for everyone reading this book.

It's difficult as if I were vaguely aware of the geopolitical and political predicaments of the EU I would've enjoyed this book much more as it provides a very good foundation on all the problems that the EU faces and how new problems might emerge. However, it also needed to cater to those who want more, which may have been possible if this book was 100-150 pages longer to fully delve deeper into his arguments that the author makes.

Another slight issue is that I found the cover art for this book quite distasteful and very melodramatic, as I did struggle to take this book seriously at first due to the front image that is reminiscent of a Netflix disaster flick.

A good introduction for those who know little about the problems of the EU, not enough to those who want more.

3/5

[Bruce Newsome · Rating 1 out of 5]

A book with the title "Collapse: Europe after the European Union" could be a Brexiteer's manifesto or a Remainer's warning. Ian Kearns explicitly introduces his book as a "warning" – it's a subjective, elitist, hysterical warning, but at least the author is honest about it. This honesty inadvertently reveals the mind of Remainers who can see the EU failing but still deny its faults. Strap in: because this ride will be both laughable and infuriating.

Kearns admits that he has "not attempted to write an academic book?I have written an unashamedly personal, and admittedly subjective, account of what I think is going on in Europe today" (pages xxi-xxii).

Don't have we have enough personal, subjective accounts already? Well, ok, if you must write a personal, subjective account (which is easy, after all), you must either accept a reduced market (telling people what they want to hear) or offer popular insight. Alas, the author immediately admits that his observations on Europe are based on his experiences as founder of the European Leadership Network, for which he could not have chosen a more euro-elitist title.

The book too often reads like a transcript of euro-elitists in an echo-chamber. "Why don't the people like us? They've been misled! What's the solution? Another personal, subjective book! One of us should write it! Hurrah! Then the rest of us should write endorsements on the back cover" (Malcolm Rifkind, Paddy Ashdown, General Sir David Richards, and George Robertson – Lord Robertson)...

Read more at this link

[Philip Chaston · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lightweight Cassandra that looks at the possibilities for a collapsing European Union. From the perspective of 2018, Kearns analyses some of the short-term political and economic developments which could potentially act as triggers for change. However, post-Brexit, the author adopts an 'all or nothing' approach which leaves the scenarios discussed undermined. Eventually, the author enters a cul-de-sac where collapse almost becomes inevitable unless ....and that never becomes apparent. There is an appeal to European values at the end (liberal democracy) and the notion that collapse will lead to a Hobbesian impoverishment of geopolitical cannibalism.

It is not difficult to consider that the unravelling of the EU is in no one's interests, politically or economically. However, without fundamental change, the risk that the EU could mutate into an authoritarian, populist version of itself is potentially higher than collapse due to the political trends seen over the last few years. Political classes tend to suborn and encompass change: Poland and Hungary remain unpunished.

Kearns could have written a more interesting and realistic book if these flaws and adverse outcomes were taken into account

[Neil H · Rating 4 out of 5]

A summary of what went wrong and the ascension of outside continental and internal pressures exposing the fissures of the EU. How a challenge can and will be grown into a more insidious problem that will tear the EU apart. What Italy, Greece, Spain etc has gone thru in economic and fiscal headaches by the ECB and concurrently with the political entanglement of Germany in the tow would mean not just for the affected countries, but how the rest of the EU will feel if they succumbed to the same regulatory pressures. By no means is this book exhaustive in its recommendations or its prognosis, but its a good platform on how much the EU can and will need to address urgently for it not to splinter apart.