Régis Debray finds centrifugal forces in Europe

The French philosopher Regis Debray, interviewed by William Bourton and Baudoin Loss, considers that the rise of separatism in Belgium reveals challenges that lie ahead for Europe. "Fundamentally, the construction of Europe fuels its regionalisation and even favours the return of separatist movements. In this sense, Europe can be considered a divisive factor as much as a factor of unification ... . Those who built Europe ... conceived Europe as a centripetal entity ... And now we are discovering that it is centrifugal, with the extremes gaining power. We may ultimately end up with a Europe of regions as in the 16th century. History is not circular, but advances in spirals: it goes through the same cycles... One thing is certain: an atomised Europe undergoes subordination to the strongest foreign power [The United States]."

» more information (external link, French)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Domestic Policy, » Integration, » Belgium, » Europe
All available articles from » Régis Debray, » William Bourton, » Baudouin Loos

» To the complete press review of Wednesday, September 26, 2007