Thirty-five years ago, unexpected political changes came to pass in the Central and Eastern European countries which were then under Communist rule. They foreshadowed an era of hope and optimism and they seemed to herald a more peaceful, democratic and prosperous future with fewer conflicts in Europe.
Today’s reality does not quite live up to yesterday’s expectations. “Wandel durch Handel” remained unfulfilled in many places. Social and particularly political convergence, as it turned out, could not simply be imported as a by-product of the market economy. And the path to a representative democracy and liberal institutions turned out to be reversible. Out of question – but often neglected in Western Europe – is the tremendous economic progress of Central and Eastern Europe since 1990.
But where do we move from here?
This book is an attempt to bridge the divide between Eastern and Western Europe in understanding the continent’s development during the last 35 years. It aims to illustrate the various aspects and interdependencies in the economic and social development in a way that encourages our readers to continue pondering these topics and provide cues for how to shape Europe’s future.
For “Lessons from Europe”, Thomas Wieser and Johanna Mair have brought together a distinguished group of experts, thinkers, writers, journalists, and leaders to reflect on how the last 35 years have shaped Europe. The essays go beyond economic data to address the complex societal and political changes that have arisen from European integration, offering a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
The book comprises essays by: Philipp Blom, Paschal Donohoe, Karl-Markus Gauß, Katharina Gnath, Stefan Janny, Tim Judah, Júlia Király, Ivan Krastev, Dominika Kroschel, Otmar Lahodynsky, Karel Lannoo, Stefan Lehne, Annamaria Lusardi, Johanna Mair, Ivan Mikloš, Olivia S. Mitchell, Piroska Nagy-Mohácsi, Ursula Plassnik, Oana Popescu-Zamfir, Thomas Ramge, Dietmar Schweisgut, Mateusz Szczurek, Zdeněk Tůma, Thomas Wieser and an interview with Andreas Treichl.
It is available in English and German.
Lessons from Europe.
22 Essays on the Future of Our Continent.
Johanna Mair &Thomas Wieser (Hg.)
Christian Seiler Verlag
Published in August 2024
The editors:
Johanna Mair is a professor at the Hertie School and leads the Global Innovation for Impact Lab at the Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society. She studies new forms of organization and institutional changes that enable economic and social progress. She also advises governments and foundations on the issue of social innovation.
Thomas Wieser is an Austrian economist. At the Austrian Ministry of Finance, he headed the department for economic policy and financial markets. From 2012 to 2018, he chaired the Eurogroup Working Group.
Initiated by ERSTE Foundation.
