Europe: A Power in Search of Itself
Is the European Union redefining itself, or is it simply getting lost in an arms race beyond its control?
We are at a turning point: Europe is shifting toward a more military, more strategic political project… yet paradoxically, it remains just as dependent as before. €800 billion has been allocated to rearmament without real democratic debate, and a significant portion of this budget will go directly to American industries.
Few media outlets address this head-on: is this massive militarization pushing Europe toward a security-driven identity at the expense of its democratic and social principles?
- The Paradox of Sovereignty
Europe wants to protect itself, but how can we talk about sovereignty when our weapons come from across the Atlantic? As Jürgen Habermas pointed out, the EU was built on technocratic governance, often disconnected from democratic debate. This decision is a clear illustration of that: European citizens had no say in it.
- War as a Political Project?
Carl Schmitt reminds us that states define themselves by designating an enemy. Today, Russia plays that role for the EU, justifying massive militarization. But can a political entity define itself solely through opposition to an external threat?
History shows that great powers emerge through inclusive strategic choices, not just through fear and military escalation. By reinforcing an opaque security model, Europe risks drifting away from its founding ideals.
- Europe in a Permanent State of Exception?
In State of Exception, Giorgio Agamben explains how crises are used to extend emergency policies. One might think that Europe is building an independent defense force, but in reality, it is institutionalizing fear as a development strategy.
Does this militarization truly protect us, or does it lock us into an escalating cycle of tensions?
Far from being a step toward independence, this massive arms buildup rests on three illusions:
The illusion of sovereignty → By funding our dependence on the U.S., we are not gaining autonomy.
The illusion of democratic legitimacy "No public consultation, no meaningful debate."
The illusion of peace through strength → More weapons have never guaranteed long-term stability.
So, does Europe genuinely aspire to be an independent power, or is it content to serve as NATO’s strategic outpost on the continent?
I explore this transformation in my latest article on Medium: [Read the full article here
https://medium.com/@ptit.tolier/the-eu-a-power-in-search-of-itself-1ef6ec629fa0
https://ilmanifesto.it/nel-riarmo-dellue-linsidia-dellatlantismo-senza-gli-usa
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