The inner workings of the European Union are as much a mystery to those living within its confines as they are to those of us who reside elsewhere. The Brussels bureaucracy that sets many of the EU's policies feels remote to its citizens, yet the influence of its decisions can extend worldwide. In this timely and insightful essay, Hans Magnus Enzensberger attempts to make sense of the EU's present political and economic roles and examine the EU's origins and inherent contradictions. In Enzensberger's view, Europe is involved in a project without precedent - the first non-violent form of post-democratic governance, which is trying to abolish the diversity of Europe and impose a regime that is not accountable to its citizens. Its often bizarre and arbitrary rules amount to a soft but relentless guardianship, dictating how half a billion people should live their lives regardless of their own political opinions and traditions. Enzensberger here offers a strategy for approaching this modern monster - at once gentle and giant, friend and foe.

About the Author
Hans Magnus Enzensberger is a German author, poet, translator, and editor. His books include The Silences of Hammerstein and A History of Clouds, both published by Seagull Books. Jonathan Becker is a Berlin-based translator.

Reviews
"For 50 years, time and again Enzensberger has posed the right questions to German society.... No one should ever believe Enzensberger is on his side. Whenever someone makes a clear distinction between Good and Evil, Enzensberger will jump out of cover and shout: It's not that simple." (Florian Illies, Die Zeit)"



Book Information
ISBN 9780857420237
Author Hans Magnus Enzensberger
Format Hardback
Page Count 81
Imprint Seagull Books London Ltd
Publisher Seagull Books London Ltd
Weight(grams) 227g
Dimensions(mm) 21mm * 15mm * 1mm