I would give all the wealth of the world, and all the deeds of all the heroes, for one true vision.
- Henry David Thoreau
A small nation ushered in a new era of globalization and created the first global empire – Portugal. Other European nations followed, first the Spanish, then the Dutch and the British.
With just 8 percent of the world’s landmass, Europe dominated all continents, controlling at its peak an astounding 84 percent of the globe.
The British went on to establish the largest empire in human history, encompassing a quarter of the world’s population. Meanwhile, the Industrial Revolution gifted Europe unparalleled economic, technological, and military supremacy. The colonial powers spread Christianity across the world.
Today, there are around 200 countries, and fewer than 15 were never European colonies.
For half a millennium, until the mid-20th century, Europe ruled the world. But colonialism was never natural, and after World War II, the tides turned dramatically.
Europe’s influence has now been curbed by the loss of global dominance and by radical political-economic shifts, such as the rise of developing nations.
Many Europeans still fail to grasp what “Europe” truly is, confusing the European Union with the continent itself.
The EU has 27 member countries, while Europe as a continent has 49. The EU represents 42 percent of Europe’s landmass, 60 percent of its population, and 69 percent of its economy (in purchasing power parity).
The EU is an important part of Europe but does not define it. The name “Europe” has existed for 2,600 years; the EU, on the other hand, was born just three decades ago. The EU represents itself, not the entire continent. Today, the EU accounts for less than 6 percent of the world’s population. India alone has three times as many people.
In 1980, Europe controlled nearly a third of the global economy. Today, the EU makes up just 14 percent. By 2050, the EU’s share of global GDP could shrink to a mere 9 percent, less than India’s, while China could command 20 percent, more than double the EU’s output.
The shifts are not merely economic. Of the 20 most important science and technology hubs in the world, 12 are in East Asia, 6 in the United States, and only 2 in Europe.
Decades ago, the Chinese were among the poorest people on earth. Today, they boast the world’s largest middle class – bigger than the entire population of the EU. Just 25 years ago, Chinese citizens couldn’t afford to travel internationally.
Now they represent the largest group of global tourists, who are expected to spend $400 billion annually over the next decade.
These changes extend beyond the economy. Of the world’s top 20 universities, most are located in the United States, others in East Asia, and only a few in Europe – specifically the United Kingdom and Switzerland.
Within the EU itself, no university comes close to competing on this level. International education benchmarks, such as the PISA tests, now place Singapore at the top of all rankings, illustrating where the next global elites are being cultivated.
Europe’s younger generation, hindered by a less competitive education system, will struggle to compete in a knowledge-based global future.
This crisis of competitiveness is existential. Europe risks falling behind as the “Global South” rises – nations that are often less friendly to freedom, democracy, and human rights.
They are more willing to take risks, and today, more than 70 percent of the world’s population lives under autocracies.(Before the U.S. election)
In the United Nations General Assembly, these regimes form a majority that routinely passes absurd resolutions, betraying the lofty principles on which the UN was founded.
Tragically, many of Europe’s best minds avoid politics. Yet leadership is everything. We need leaders with vision, energy, and the power to shape the future – individuals who embody honesty, courage, kindness, and intelligence.
Leaders who can inspire societies to believe in a shared future, who possess the strength to make Europe competitive, vibrant, and proud once again.
Without such leadership, Europe risks becoming a relic of its past glories, irrelevant in the face of a shifting world.
The future is not inevitable; it is a choice – and the right leadership can change everything.
Sincerely,
Adaptation-Guide
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