Schmidt Discusses Optimism for the Future of Europe
On January 6, 2021, De Groene Amsterdammer published an interview with Vivien Schmidt, Jean Monnet Professor of European Integration and Professor of International Relations and Political Science at the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University, in which she discussed her optimism for the future of Europe.
In the interview, Schmidt discussed her research on Europe, the Eurozone crisis, and how COVID-19 has effected the region. Schmidt noted the parallels between the Eurozone crisis and the initial response to COVID-19; however, she did note that she is optimistic about the future of the European Union (EU). While it’s recent history has been dotted with issues, Schmidt says that the pandemic has forced EU states to recognize that they must tackle the issue, among others, together.
An excerpt:
Europe is located in a dangerous region and has hardly invested in its own defense…But first things first: first the EU must tackle the economy, health and climate change. And maybe those other issues will not turn out to be that big after that.
COVID-19 is a wake-up call. All measures point to a further deepening of European integration in a positive direction.
The full interview can be read on De Groene Amsterdammer‘s website.
Vivien Schmidt is Professor of International Relations and Jean Monnet Professor of European Integration at the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies and was the first Director of BU’s Center for the Study of Europe, housed at the Pardee School. Schmidt’s research focuses on European political economy, institutions, democracy, and political theory—in particular on the importance of ideas and discourse in political analysis. Read more about Schmidt on her faculty profile.