Introduction: The Current Crisis of the European Union, Its Origins and Consequences

The title of this volume—Highs and Lows of European Integration—focuses on what many observers have described as a rollercoaster effect, to describe the long, sinuous process that has changed the geopolitical character of Europe over the last 60 years, as it emerged from the second world war. A frequent interpretation of this process is one of initial important achievements, but successive protracted uncertainties, unreached goals and failed ambitions. It is often argued that the process of European construction has guaranteed peace and prosperity for decades, but also that it has been marred by a failed attempt to reach a sufficient level of political legitimacy to be able to compete with the much more solid, long-lasting, and resourceful structure of a (federal) Nation-State. Thus, despite the literature that sometimes heralds the increasing weakness of States in an age of globalization, they remain the main source of identity for most citizens, within the European Union as well. This happens as States are also seen to carve out new guiding roles in the economic domain and in several other policy areas. However, this reading often fails to take sufficiently into account the multifarious factors, the complexity, and the uneven aspects of the process of European integration and, therefore, the multiple areas of progress that would have been unthinkable without the EU. They have taken place, of course, alongside multiple failures. The nature of the EU is complex, and only a multidisciplinary approach can help us to understand its evolving structure, functions, internal and external conflicts, and long-term trends. After 60 years of European integration, it is high time to pause and take stock. This is particularly necessary and important in light of recent challenges, such as the financial crisis and its aftermath, the populist upsurge in several Member States, and, more recently, Brexit. This volume attempts to do this.