EPS seminar series - BENJAMIN LERUTH: 'Exploring and Understanding the Politics of Long-Termism in the European Union'

This event is part of the Seminar Series of the theme group European Politics and Society.

Abstract

This paper delves into the concept of political long-termism, emphasizing its relevance in the realm of European Studies. It contends that the European Union (EU), in theory, possesses the potential to address creeping crises more effectively than its member states, while acknowledging the varying degrees of support for political long-termism within different EU institutions. The discussion is substantiated by an analysis of the European institutions' roles in shaping and responding to two EU-wide future-oriented initiatives, namely the White Paper on the Future of Europe (2017-19) and the Conference on the Future of Europe (2021-22). Furthermore, the paper advocates for additional research to explore the EU's role in fostering political long-termism, an area that has seen limited empirical investigation. As such, it aims to set the agenda by shedding light on the intertemporal aspect of European Union politics. Finally, I will present some premilinary findings of an experimental survey submitted to 7,000 EU citizens on their long-term policy preferences.