Europe as an opportunity for the future
Majority of Europeans are certain: Europe's future can only succeed together

Despite the current debate about Eurobonds and possible state bankruptcies, bailouts and debt union, the majority of Europeans are certain that the future of Europe can only succeed together and that the individual states must therefore support each other. This is the conclusion of the latest Europe study presented today in Berlin by the Hamburg Foundation for Future Studies, an initiative of British American Tobacco, entitled ‚United Dreams of Europe’, for which a representative sample of over 15,000 Europeans in 13 nations were surveyed.
Within the EU, the Greeks, Italians and Danes emphasise the importance of solidarity particularly frequently. In contrast, the Austrians and Dutch in particular are reluctant to agree with this demand, preferring instead to focus on national interests. This attitude is also shared by the EU neighbouring countries Russia and Turkey. Agreement in Germany is also below average - with East Germans and formally less educated Germans (39% each) expressing particular restraint.
The Foundation's Scientific Director, Professor Dr Ulrich Reinhardt, is positive about the overwhelming approval: „The majority of Europeans have recognised that the nation states alone are overburdened with the numerous future challenges. In future, European interests will therefore increasingly become national interests. Without a strong Europe, economic strength, internal and external security, global political significance, living standards and quality of life throughout Europe are at risk.“

A return to the Deutschmark, lira or franc is not an alternative

In contrast, only a minority of Europeans would like to see a return to an „old Europe“ with different national currencies. Only around one in four (28%) can imagine this scenario. The younger generation in particular (under 35 years: 23%) has little use for this regression.
Given the current situation in Greece, the result of the country comparison may come as a surprise, as a majority of Greeks can imagine this scenario (54%). Whether the Greeks are actually able to assess the consequences and effects or rather have a romanticised view of the past remains unanswered. The two main contributors, France and Germany, also express above-average approval. In both countries, there is great concern that they will not be able to maintain their own prosperity or that their „prosperity advantage“ over other nations will be reduced. Unsurprisingly, however, the countries with their own currencies, such as Russia and Poland, Turkey and the UK, are less in favour.

Europe as an opportunity for the future

Europe growing together offers various options and potential. This is the opinion of two fifths of Europeans. In Italy, Denmark and Greece, a majority of citizens even believe in the positive effects of a united Europe. In contrast, the British and Dutch can only imagine the benefits of a united continent to a limited extent. Even the non-EU states Turkey, Russia and Switzerland show more imagination in this regard.
A comparison by life stage shows that the generation of under 24-year-olds is more in favour of Europe than the older generations. In addition to age, the level of education proves to be a decisive factor for a pro-European view: In almost all countries, approval for Europe - i.e. in terms of solidarity for other nations, identification with Europe or the attitude that Europe represents a great opportunity for the future - is almost twice as high among those with a higher level of education than among citizens with a lower level of education.

Outlook

„If I knew something that could be useful to me but harmful to my family, I would put it out of my mind. If I knew something that could be useful to my family but harmful to my nation, I would endeavour to forget it. And if I knew something that might be useful to my nation but harmful to Europe and humanity, I would consider it a crime." (Charles de Montesquieu, 1748)
Are Europeans today taking up the ideas of the pioneer of the French Revolution? Or are they running the risk of behaving in the opposite way and sacrificing the interests of Europe in favour of their own nation? The fear of many Germans of having to pay for the debts of other nations is too simplistic. Germany in particular benefits from a stable euro region. All citizens must therefore ask themselves whether there is not more to gain than to lose in the long term by foregoing some national advantages.

The book „United Dreams of Europe“ contains 27 key question interviews with young Members of the European Parliament, futurologists and students who present their personal views on the future of Europe.
Secondly, a representative cross-section of the European population was surveyed. On behalf of the citizens of the European Union, over 11,000 citizens in ten member states were interviewed in person. In addition, over 4,000 residents of Switzerland, Turkey and Russia were interviewed, as they also have an influence on the future of Europe.
The results show the fears and hopes of the population and illustrate the opportunities, but also the challenges of a united Europe.
The more than 350-page book contains over 100 graphics and is available in bookshops from today:
„United Dreams of Europe“
CH GOETZ Verlag, Rottach-Egern, ISBN: 987-3-9813783-0-6, Price: 22,90 Euro
Please also visit our project website: www.uniteddreamsofeurope.eu