How the World Has Changed in 25 Years: Annual Report 2021

Summary:

The world into which the CER was born 25 years ago looked very different from the world of today. A spirit of optimism filled the air. The EU was integrating politically, creating its own currency and extending its frontiers. Britain was influential in Europe and the US was a reliable anchor for the West. Political and economic liberalism seemed to be gradually spreading across the globe. Many assumed that the institutions of global governance would strengthen.  We now live in much darker times. Democracy appears to be in retreat, the big authoritarian countries act with increasing self-confidence and the West is on the defensive. International institutions have little capacity to constrain the behaviour of the major powers – and are far too weak in areas like health and climate. This essay looks at ten ways in which the CER’s world has changed over the past quarter century. The essay concludes by suggesting that the future need not be all doom and gloom.

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