Conclusions: Implications of Neo-medievalism
Conclusions: Implications of Neo-medievalism
This concluding chapter tries to identify the implications of neo-medievalism for the Union’s geo-strategic position, its governance capacity, and its political legitimacy. It also tries to establish how to handle the emerging neo-medieval empire in Europe. Although a neo-medieval empire would cause many problems and difficulties, it would also have some important advantages. A flexible neo-medieval empire in concentric circles would be in a better position than a European state to cope with the pressures of modernization and globalization. It would also be in a better position to compete with other great powers by pulling together vast European resources, without eliminating Europe’s greatest strength: its pluralism and diversity. A neo-medieval empire would also be well suited to provide conflict prevention in its neighborhood by shaping countries’ behavior through the mechanism of EU membership conditionality. A neo-medieval empire might even be in a good position to be seen as democratically legitimate by bringing governance structures closer to the citizens, and making the system more transparent and open.
Keywords: government, European Union, empire, geopolitics, European integration
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