In person icon European Union: Cleavage and Crises in the Emerging Political Geography of Europe

Abstract

The 21st century political geography of Europe and the EU is replete with multiple tensions that are driven by a series of interconnected crises. These tensions are being worked out against a backdrop of globalization and deepening cleavages within the Union. . The expression ‘love Europe, hate the EU’ which essentially represents a rejection of institutionalised Europe is a powerful catch phrase that has resonance in the contemporary politics of European Integration. It is part of the battle about the political meaning of Europe. Narratives about the complex relationship between European integration and globalization are another site of contestation. It consists of two sub-narratives: Europeanisation against globalization (a shield) and Europeanisation as a sub-set of globalisation (EU as filter for globalisation). Brexit and the response of the Visegrad4 to Europe’s multiple crises challenge the EU in ways that the EU has not experienced in the past. The departure of the UK from the EU will alter balances within the remaining Union both in terms of member state power, policy fields and decision making. The Visegrad 4 actively turned against mainstream EU crisis management and are seeking to de-europeanize in some respects but not in all. The Visegrad 4 aim for economic convergence but political divergence.

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