European Futures

Book excerpt: This book is an innovative and highly original exercise in scenario building, the aim of which is to investigate the future of Europe. The scenarios investigated by the authors include 'triumphant markets', 'turbulent neighbourhoods', 'the hundred flowers', 'shared responsibilities' and 'creative societies'. These are five coherent and thought-provoking images of Europe in 2010. Rather than present a definitive picture of the future of Europe, the authors highlight the range of possible futures, and the factors and actors that are likely to shape them. Written in a narrative style, the scenarios are grounded in a rigorous analysis of the main trends affecting Europe's future, including demography, technology, globalisation and post-modernity.