Omar Little, a notorious Baltimore stick-up man in HBO’s The Wire, is not accustomed to resting on his laurels. Despite overcoming long-time adversary Avon Barksdale, Omar is uneasy with the simple life. ‘How you expect to run with the wolves, come night,’ he asks his bemused partner, ‘when you spend all day sparring with the puppies?’
If only someone had warned Europe. After witnessing the collapse of the Soviet Union, the EU enjoyed a relatively blissful and calamity-free period throughout the ‘90s and early ‘00s. It introduced a single European currency, established the borderless Schengen zone, and oversaw the induction of much of Eastern Europe into its ranks. For a brief period, it even looked as though it might supplant the U.S as the world’s hegemonic power. Across the continent, leaders gushed at the prospect of a new, European century. Unfortunately, this optimism proved to be remarkably short-lived, and a trinity of crises has brought the aspirational continent tumbling back down to Earth. The financial meltdown exposed severe and fatal flaws at the heart of Euro. A resurgent Russia has led to grave concerns over future EU security. And a migrant crisis has seriously tested the strength of the very fabric holding Europe together.
It is this last crisis which now causes the most alarm in Brussels. The scale is staggering; millions of people are on the move. Across the continent, television screens are flooded with pictures of those desperately struggling to make the journey. A public consensus has remained impossibly elusive. The tragic death of Alan Kurdi, led to an emergence of a vast sympathy. The Cologne attacks however, caused a revival of both anger and distrust. The crisis has reawakened a terrifying form of jingoistic nationalism, on a continent which had long thought it had lain such ideologies to rest. Commentators do not exaggerate when they warn that this is the greatest test the Union has ever faced.
There is a lot of Europe, to the extent that it can be extraordinarily difficult for the non-informed onlooker to get to grips with. However, in essence, there exist two broadly distinct and separate components to the European establishment; Liberal Europe and Practical Europe. Liberal Europe, is that of Jean Monnet, and is focused on the pursuit of lofty ideals, such as liberty and equality for all. Practical Europe, is much more Konrad Adenauer, and as its moniker would suggest, is far more pragmatic. Both these iterations of Europe have existed since the formation of the EU, and ordinarily, have worked in tandem with one another. It makes sense to ensure that prospective Member States must uphold the rule of law, both from a moralistic standpoint, but also to ensure the rules of the free market are respected. Likewise, the free movement of persons is symbolically significant, as well as economically so.
The migrant crisis however, brings these two Europes into direct conflict with another. Liberals argue passionately, insisting that Europe has a moral responsibility to help those in danger. The political reality of Practical Europe however, suggests that this is but an impossible dream. These two Europes have butted heads in the past, and tellingly, it was Practical Europe which prevailed.
Starting from 1990, from every year up until ’97, the EU condemned China for its human rights
violations. It stopped when it worried such statements could affect trade with the Asian giant. The
current crisis is on a far larger scale, but there can be little doubt over which Europe will emerge
victorious.
This conflict is epitomised by Angela Merkel, German Chancellor and de facto leader of the European Union. It is clear that she is enormously sympathetic to the plight of the refugees. She has pleaded with other EU leaders to follow her example, and allow entry of these migrants. Sadly, her requests have fallen upon deaf ears, a grim coalition of the unwilling and the unable. Germany, as a result has been overwhelmed by the enormous influx of people, prompting huge backlash throughout the country. Ms Merkel now faces widespread revolt across her own party, and her political position has never before seemed so tenuous. Ultimately, if forced to decide between her career, and the
refugees, she will reluctantly choose the former.
That is not to say it is entirely hopeless. Immigration carries strong economic benefits, and there is
every chance that as the refugees start to integrate, Europeans will become more sympathetic to
their plight. As the Syrian conflict begins to wane, those attempting to reach Europe should drop
considerably, and thus ease the burden. Perhaps another tragedy upon the Mediterranean Sea may
finally prompt European leaders to accept responsibility and take action. The signs however, are not
encouraging. Europe is pushing hard for a deal with an autocratic Turkey, despite it flouting
international law, offering cash if it stems the migrant flow. While it may well be successful, it will
have broken the liberal spirit upon which the EU was founded.
After getting back into the game, Omar was abandoned his moral code, which ultimately led to his
downfall. Let us hope Europe will be more fortunate.
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