BOOK REVIEW: The Magic Circle of Madness: How Europe Lost its Soul

Abstract

The roots of the European Union are to be found in nineteenth century utopian thought rather than in the desire to create peace in Europe after World War II. The recent book by Christopher Booker and Richard North, The Great Deception: The Secret History of the European Union, argues that the official history of the European Union has neglected this heritage to conceal the fact that the European Union was founded upon these failed utopian ideals embodied in the League of Nations. Moreover, the history of the European Union has been marked by an effort to deceive states and the public as to the supranational thrust toward political integration. While nation-states lost the ability to rule themselves, ironically, the single market has failed in all its essential goals of deregulating the market, rationalizing agricultural production, preserving the ecology, and producing sufficient employment and economic growth. While Booker and North focus upon the United Kingdom, prospective member states should heed the warning of this revisionist history of the European Union. The book is a critically important addition to studies on the history of the European Union.

Keywords

European Union, Single Market, Jean Monnet, Supranationalism, Political Integration

Citation

Girdner, Eddie J., “The Magic Circle of Madness: How Europe Lost its Soul”, International Relations, Volume 3, No 12 (Winter 2006-2007), p. 101-126.

Affiliations

• Eddie J. Girdner, Professor, Başkent University, Department of Political Science and International Relations