In his recent book « The European Union in Search of Narratives. Disenchanted Europe », François Foret examines the legitimisation of the European Union through three main narratives (« Europe of rights », « Europe of values », « European way of life ») that aim to convey its identity and purpose. He argues that these narratives express diminishing charismatic and transformative ambitions and generate backlash, but that (geo)political challenges offer potentialities for new commons and democratic emancipation.
Crossing disciplinary perspectives, distinguished scholars discuss the present and future of EU legitimisation and narratives.
With Antoine Bailleux (professor of EU law, IES USL-B), Martin Deleixhe (Professor of political theory, CTP-IEE, ULB); François Foret (Professor of political science, Cevipol-IEE, ULB) and Didier Georgakakis (Professor of political science, Paris 1/IUF/College of Europe)
Wednesday 16 April 2025, from 2pm to 4pm (Spaak Room)
What narrative for Europe? Taking stock and looking ahead