Critical Approach to Mark Leonard’s “Why Europe Will Run the 21st Century”

Assignment for European citizenship

Critical approach to

Mark Leonard’s

“Why Europe will run the 21st century”

“European way” –

peace, democracy and prosperity

Mechelen, 2009

The history of the European Union (EU) starts in 1951 when 6 European countries formed the European Coal and Steel Community. At beginning this organ was made as an economical organization designed to prevent war. During the time it, it has expanded in many ways. The number of member states has increased from 6 to 27 and the purpose of the organization is now not only economical but also social and political. EU has become the world’s biggest market and exporter. As well as foreign investor and aid donor.

The Union was founded on the values of respect for human dignity, liberty, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and respect for human rights.

According to Mark Leonard these values of the EU will be so important that will make the 21 century as the European century. Further on he gives two examples of the European Union way. One of them would be for EU to remain as an organization based on European common history and culture. In this scenario Turkey would not be allowed to join the Union, because or the large number of differences that Turkey has with European countries. As we see it for now- Turkey will most probably become an EU member state if the criteria’s that have been assigned for it will be completed.

That leaves the other option. That is (By Mark Leonard) “EU will constitute a group of nations committed to the maintenance and furthering of democracy, prosperity, and peace. “ In this work I would like to show that the values that Leonard puts forward as European pillars for building the 21st century are not really practiced good enough in Europe nowadays.

Let us start with an example: Mark Leonard considers the tool like aggression a very weak one that has actually no sense. “Better is transforming the countries from inside by effecting their...