This book is a vindication of Europe. It challenges the view of Europe as a tired, overregulated continent, arguing instead that Europe has emerged from decades of crisis—financial turmoil, Brexit, COVID-19, war in Ukraine—as a resilient, reformed, and quietly successful model of governance and society.
While the world often focuses on the rivalry between the U.S. and China, Europe has steadily built a different path: one defined by high living standards, strong public institutions, universal healthcare, and a commitment to sustainability and human rights. Its cities lead in quality of life, its democracies remain among the most robust, and its cultural and regulatory influence—exemplified by GDPR, climate policy, and social protections—extends globally.
In contrast, the United States, though still dominant in innovation, faces mounting internal challenges: political dysfunction, social fragmentation, inequality, and mistrust in institutions. The dynamism of Silicon Valley and Wall Street has come at the cost of social cohesion and civic faith.
Europe’s success is not just relative—it is real. It has shown the ability to balance prosperity with inclusion, and pragmatism with principle. It also engages China on its own terms, defending democratic values while pursuing economic ties.
Yet, Europe suffers from a psychological weakness: a lack of self-confidence. Many Europeans feel peripheral in a fast-changing world. This insecurity fuels populism, EU skepticism, and nostalgic politics. The book counters this with evidence and clarity, reminding readers that Europe remains one of the best places on Earth to live, work, and raise a family.
While acknowledging unresolved issues—defense, migration, competitiveness—it argues that Europe’s model is not obsolete, but exemplary. The continent’s trajectory is positive. Its best days, the author suggests, may still lie ahead.
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Arturo Bris is Douglas Geertz IMEDE 1988 Professor in Geopolitics and Business, Professor of Finance, and Director of the IMD World Competitiveness Center. An award-winning teacher and program director, he ranks among the top 100 most-read finance academics worldwide. He is the author of several books, a frequent speaker at international conferences, and appears regularly on international media outlets.
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in Long Range Planning August 2026, vol. 59, no. 4, 102656, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lrp.2026.102656
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in Technovation August 2026, vol. 156, 103640, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2026.103640
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