Jack Birner has published a very timely article “The European Union: from common foreign and defence policy to federation? (Chapter 16 in Palgrave Studies in International Relations, 2025). It outlines how the idea of a federalist Europe has roots even before WWII and why it is more than ever necessary. At the same, Birner demonstrates by highlighting the difference in the thinking of Monnet and Hayek. A functional centralist federalism (which is the current state towards teh EU evolves) vs. one where the sovereignty of the nations is reinforcing factor as it stimulates competion yet requires mutial respect). To quote from the paper: “The Federal system limits and restrains sovereign power by dividing it, and by assigning to Government only certain defined rights.” (Lord Acton). This is very much along the lines of thinking in the Schuman2030 project.
Available at: https://isonomiaquarterly.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/birner-pfwo.pdf
Abstract:
Birner argues that while the EU possesses federalist characteristics, it is not yet a true federation. Using F.A. Hayek’s 1939 blueprint for a federal Europe, the work analyzes modern EU security and external relations to explore paths toward increased political unification.
Key Aspects
- Context: The chapter analyzes the European Union’s development within a shifting global balance of power, where the USA’s influence is contested by China, and the EU holds economic weight comparable to both but lacks equivalent political power.
- Framework:It utilizes a detailed 1939 federal Europe plan proposed by F.A. Hayek to assess the current and future agenda of the EU, suggesting Hayek’s insights are relevant for enhancing the EU’s democracy.
- Thesis: The chapter investigates whether the EU’s common foreign and defence policies (CFSP/CSDP) are propelling the union toward a federal structure.