Summary of "Wherefore Art Thou - The EU"

Podcast: The Power of Balance
Host/Author: Stephen Barden
Episode: Wherefore Art Thou - The EU
Release Date: February 23, 2025

Introduction

In the episode titled "Wherefore Art Thou - The EU," Stephen Barden explores the European Union's (EU) fundamental purpose and how it perceives its value both internally and externally. Drawing from his book, How Successful Leaders Do Business with Their World, Barden challenges the prevailing myth that effective leadership is synonymous with aggressive and combative tactics. Instead, he posits that true leadership is rooted in maintaining a balanced power relationship, fostering loyalty, and ensuring mutual meaning between an organization and its constituents.

Defining the EU's 'Wherefore'

Barden begins by dissecting the concept of "wherefore," not in its traditional Shakespearean sense, but as a measure of the EU's perceived value and meaning in its global context. He emphasizes that understanding the EU's "wherefore" is crucial in evaluating its distribution of power, levels of democracy, loyalty to its people, and its effectiveness in fulfilling its expected role.

“The wherefore, the balanced place of meaning between the EU and the people it serves, tells us about anything from the levels of distribution of power... to whether the EU is performing the role that it expects of itself”
(A, 02:15)

Historical Foundations and Evolution

Barden traces the EU's roots back to the Council of Europe established on May 5, 1949, highlighting its foundational goals of unity, safeguarding human rights, and promoting economic and social progress. He contrasts this with the European Coal and Steel Community proposed by French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman in 1950, which aimed at preventing war through economic cooperation.

While the Council of Europe focused on moral and peaceful reconstruction post-World War II, Schuman envisioned a federated Europe, a vision that gradually faded as the EU evolved into a primarily economic and social union. This historical context sets the stage for understanding the EU's current stance on leadership and power balance.

The EU's Current Position and Challenges

Barden argues that the EU today prioritizes maintaining internal consensus over asserting political sovereignty, fearing that decisive leadership might lead to internal friction and potential fragmentation. This cautious approach is exemplified in the EU's handling of Poland's judicial reforms.

“The EU placed Poland under Article 7 but continued to provide substantial funding, totaling around 100 billion euros, while fines were negligible.”
(A, 15:30)

This response underscores the EU's reluctance to enforce stringent measures against member states, reflecting its self-perceived role as a peacekeeper rather than a political leader. Barden suggests that this approach diminishes the EU's global political influence, despite its significant economic prowess.

Economic Influence vs. Political Inaction

Despite being the world's third-largest economy, the EU hesitates to leverage its economic might for political purposes. Barden highlights that the EU often aligns its political stance with that of the United States, undermining its potential as an independent global power.

“The EU thinks that by playing it safe, by following the leader, it can keep the peace internally and safeguard its trading interests globally.”
(A, 30:45)

This alignment with US policies restricts the EU's ability to assert its distinct political interests, weakening its position on the global stage.

Public Perception and Internal Sentiments

Utilizing data from the Varian Group's Eurobarometer survey (May 2024), Barden reveals that Europeans prioritize freedom of movement, peace, and democracy as key values associated with the EU. However, economic growth, a primary focus of the EU, is not prominently recognized by the public, indicating a disconnect between the EU's actions and public awareness.

Furthermore, emotional attachment surveys show that Europeans feel more connected to their individual countries than to the EU itself.

“Only 15% said they felt the same way about the Union.”
(A, 45:00)

The Bertelsmann Foundation's research (November 2024) supports this sentiment, with 73% of Europeans desiring the EU to take on more international responsibility and reduce its alignment with the US.

Challenges to the EU’s Unity

Barden discusses recent geopolitical tensions, such as the US's threat to impose steel and aluminium tariffs starting March 12, 2025, and the EU's limited retaliatory measures. He argues that the EU's inability to assert a unified political stance hampers its ability to effectively respond to such challenges.

Additionally, the absence of a standing EU army and reliance on NATO highlights the EU's limited role in security and defense, further emphasizing its focus on economic and social stability over political and military leadership.

Conclusion: The Future of the EU's 'Wherefore'

Barden concludes that while the EU has successfully maintained peace and established a robust trading bloc, its constituents are now calling for a broader, more politically engaged role. To meet these evolving expectations, the EU must redefine its "wherefore," embracing greater political sovereignty and willingness to assert its distinct interests on the global stage.

“The EU originally saw its value in the world as a peacekeeper... But now its constituents are clearly asking for more.”
(A, 55:20)

This shift requires balancing internal harmony with enhanced external authority, potentially reshaping the EU's identity as a sovereign political entity.

Notable Quotes

• “Most organizations go straight to purpose, but my experience is that unless they understand their wherefore first, sooner or later they'll come unstuck.”
  (A, 10:05)

• “It is prepared to sacrifice its political power and leverage globally.”
  (A, 50:45)

• “The EU has achieved practically everything that it set out to do in its original mission keeping the peace, creating a common trading market and so on.”
  (A, 58:30)

Final Thoughts

Stephen Barden's insightful analysis in this episode challenges listeners to rethink the EU's leadership style and strategic objectives. By emphasizing the importance of a balanced power relationship and mutual meaning, Barden advocates for a redefined EU that can effectively navigate the complexities of the modern geopolitical landscape while staying true to its foundational values of peace and prosperity.