Europe must confront crisis of legitimacy

Commentary feature. Today’s reality is that the global financial crash, whatever its origins, is stirring a potentially far-reaching crisis of legitimacy in Europe’s political system.

It concerns the ability of mainstream European political parties to convince voters that they will deliver jobs, decent wages, financial stability and enough economic growth to preserve the backbone of the universal welfare state.

ESO: Background information: Europe's 'proud empire' is entering a cul de sac of history http://www.europeansources.info/record/europes-proud-empire-is-entering-a-cul-de-sac-of-history/

ESO: Background information: Four scenarios for the reinvention of Europe http://www.europeansources.info/record/four-scenarios-for-the-reinvention-of-europe/

ESO: Background information: Europe is turning back to national identity – and it's exhilarating http://www.europeansources.info/record/europe-is-turning-back-to-national-identity-and-its-exhilarating/

Deutsche Welle, 24.4.12: Opinion: Crisis topples governments like dominos http://www.dw.de/dw/article/0,,15906726,00.html

Frankfurter Rundschau, 24.4.12: The people have become a nuisance (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/article/1860381-people-have-become-nuisance

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