Philippe Legrain, a former economic adviser to the president of the European Commission, is a visiting senior fellow at the London School of Economics’ European Institute and the author of European Spring: Why Our Economies and Politics are in a Mess – and How to Put Them Right.
The post-Brexit turmoil appears to have boosted support for mainstream politicians and the EU. But this sentiment is likely to fade as the Brexit fallout begins to sap eurozone economic performance an… read more
Many in the UK claim that, outside the EU, their country could quickly negotiate a bespoke agreement with the EU that offers all the benefits of membership and none of the costs; strike better trade d… read more
British Prime Minister David Cameron has outlined his proposals for EU reforms, but hope that Europe's leaders will soon clinch a deal to keep the UK from leaving the Union is fading. In any case, a d… read more
It is often argued that the EU progresses through crises, because they focus minds on the overwhelming need for further integration. But such breakthroughs require at least four ingredients, all of wh… read more
It cannot be Greece’s fault that the eurozone economy as a whole – in which it plays a miniscule role – is faring worse seven years after the start of the crisis than Europe did during the Great Depre… read more
The key driver of the EU’s onslaught against American tech companies is not concern for the welfare of ordinary Europeans; it is the lobbying power of protectionist German businesses. Rather than try … read more
At first glance, the eurozone economy seems like it might finally be on the mend. On closer inspection, however, recent improvements turn out to be modest and probably temporary, casting further doubt… read more
For 60 years, successive German governments sought a more European Germany; but now, Chancellor Angela Merkel’s administration wants to reshape Europe's economies in Germany’s image. This would be a d… read more
The recent European Parliament elections were dominated by disillusion and despair. Though German Chancellor Angela Merkel calls the surge in support for extremists “regrettable,” her government – and… read more
Few saw Britain’s stunning rejection of the EU coming until it was staring them in the face. And now that the unthinkable has happened, similar upheavals are becoming all too thinkable elsewhere, with… read more
