The UK Will Survive, But Europe Won’t

Voters in Europe and the United States are increasingly lulled by the wild promises of populists who seek change and destruction of global institutions masterminded by elites. “The economy has gone global, but politics is still a national process,” writes Sławomir Sierakowski. “This disconnect has created the sense, among ordinary citizens, that democracy – the people’s will – has been undermined.” The EU may need the UK more than the other way around. Some countries, like Hungary and Poland, will not tolerate German leadership of the EU and may move toward the Russian sphere. The challenge for the EU is terms for the UK’s departure: Easy terms will encourage euroskeptics throughout the continent and harsh terms could trigger widespread pain. Europe could create an opportunity by moving quickly on integration, reforms and democratization. Citizen understanding and political courage are required. – YaleGlobal