European Economic Governance: Past Errors and Future Promises
The eurozone crisis marked a real failure of European Union (EU) policy, which led to mediocre economic performance and the erosion of its political legitimacy among the populations of member states.

The crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, on the other hand, after some initial wavering, showed its capacity to respond, in particular by taking on common debt. This fresh start for the EU nonetheless needs to be confirmed both politically and institutionally.
Vivien Schmidt is a Jean Monnet Professor of European Integration at Boston University.
Article published in Politique étrangère, Vol. 86, No. 4, Winter 2021.
Available in:
Regions and themes
Share
Download the full analysis
This page contains only a summary of our work. If you would like to have access to all the information from our research on the subject, you can download the full version in PDF format.
European Economic Governance: Past Errors and Future Promises
Find out more
Discover all our analysesUkraine: A Year of Uncertain Peace - Politique étrangère, Vol. 90, No. 1, Spring 2025
During his election campaign, Donald Trump promised to settle the war in Ukraine in 24 hours. As the American president settles into the White House, different options are emerging for the future of this conflict. Some are more likely than others, but none can be ruled out. European countries appear increasingly divided over Russia, and the European Union risks paying a high price if it fails to come up with a solid common strategy.

France Contested in Overseas Territories - Politique étrangère, Vol. 90, No. 1, Spring 2025
New Caledonia, Mayotte: France's overseas territories were severely shaken in 2024. Beyond explanations of the economic situation, the place of these overseas territories in French policies and strategies is once again being called into question.
Are France's overseas territories the remnants of an outdated colonialism? Or, on the contrary, are they supports for an extended French presence that the opening-up of the world makes indispensable, and barriers raised here and there against the appetites of new powers? In any case, what policies should the Hexagone pursue in these regions, to promote better development and more effective integration into their environment? And is the legal status of these overseas territories untouchable?
The Roots of a Quarter-Century of Violence Lie to the East of Congo (Kinshasa)
Almost thirty years after the genocide of the Tutsis in Rwanda, the entire region remains unstable. After Paul Kagame came to power, 1.5 million Hutus fled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. For the Rwandan president, they represented an unacceptable threat. There then followed the First and Second Congo Wars, the consequences of which are still apparent. The recent attacks perpetrated by the M23 rebels are a new episode in this tragic story.
The Axis of Resistance: Iran's Proxies since October 7, 2023
The term “Axis of Resistance” refers to the coalition of Iranian proxies in the Middle East. Since Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, there has been noticeably greater coordination among these groups, at times without the direct involvement of Tehran. Iraq and Syria are important hubs where members of the Axis meet, exchange ideas, and plan actions. Russia, as part of its continuing struggle against the West, has moved closer to Iran and also to its proxies.