The clamour for an eccentric Europe

Commentary feature in which author says: 'For the next decade the struggle between a concentric and an eccentric future will dominate the politics of Europe. France and Britain, as chief protagonists of this polarity, will be engaged in a cold war. Globalisation, the emergence of competitive Asian economies and the preponderance of US power make an eccentric resolution inevitable. A French-inspired, protected geographic entity cannot withstand the forces of the 21st century'. See also a critical response to this article in the letters' column of the Financial Times, 15 August 2005, 'Assessment of EU lacking nuance and judgment' (available in ESO).