WHERE WE STAND - ALLIANCES FOR A DIFFERENT EUROPE

Gesine Schwan
President and co-founder of the Humboldt-Viadrina Governance Platform founded in June 2014

Europe has fallen into a deep crisis. However, this crisis does not only affect the financial markets or the economy, as it might appear at first glance. Its causes lie much deeper. To summarise Gesine Schwan's diagnosis: over the years, we have allowed a culture of unbridled competition and the resulting irresponsibility to rule our continent. We now know that market radicalism, deregulation and denationalisation are just other words for an irresponsible laissez-faire policy. We are now being vividly shown the consequences of these policies.
Together, we must combat the culture of unleashed competition and collective irresponsibility that has taken hold of the elites. However, a climate of selfishness quickly turns into a culture of irresponsibility. We must counter this with the principles of solidarity and justice. In future, we should define personal responsibility as self-determination, not as an obligation to perform.
But what alliances are needed in Europe to bring about a change of course and policy? How can the progressive forces in the EU work together to combat the loss of solidarity and austerity policies?

Moderation Robert Misik, journalist and author

Gesine Schwan was President of the European University Viadrina in Frankfurt/ Oder for many years. She is currently President and co-founder of the HUMBOLDT-VIADRINA Governance Platform, Berlin, which was founded in June 2014. The Social Democrat is Chairwoman of the SPD's Fundamental Values Commission and was twice her party's candidate for the office of German Federal President.