The unbearable self-indulgence of Europe
'For things to remain the same, everything must change.' The aphorism from 'The Leopard', Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa's novel about 19th-century bluebloods trying to keep their privileged perch as Sicily boils with revolution, neatly encapsulates Europe's 21st-century predicament. A peninsula dense with countries that once ruled vast swathes of the planet has watched uncomfortably as former colonies caught up or insolently forged ahead. It knows full well change is necessary. Yet Europe can seem as comfortable with adaptation to an evolving world as decadent Italian aristos of yesteryear. Give me the will to enact reforms, Lord, but can it be domani?
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