Doom: The Politics of Catastrophe by Niall Ferguson review
(Evening Standard) – From plagues and volcanic eruptions to the current Covid pandemic, mankind has always been faced with catastrophes.
Thought Leader: Niall Ferguson
Fabrice Pothier: Pedaling the European dream
In “Pedaling the European dream,” Fabrice Pothier describes a journey he made along the historic pilgrimage route Camino de Santiago (about 700 km from southern France to northern Spain), not for sightseeing, but to talk directly with ordinary Europeans about what Europe means to them and what they expect from the future.
He asked passers-by three simple questions: what is Europe to you, where do you want more Europe (and where less), and what do you expect from the next European election. The responses — while not a scientific poll — revealed recurring themes: many people still believe in Europe’s promise and expect more solidarity, fairness and shared values. At the same time, there is widespread frustration with the European project feeling “stuck,” especially around key issues such as migration, social and fiscal policy, and a lack of cohesion and shared values.
A frequent criticism was that the European institutions feel distant, abstract and disconnected from people’s everyday lives. Many of those he spoke with admitted they didn’t really understand the upcoming European election or what the European institutions actually do — some only associated the EU with bureaucratic regulations (for example jokingly blaming it for “all the roundabouts” in their towns).
Beyond institutional opacity, Pothier reports a deeper concern: that if Europe fails to deliver on solidarity and shared values, the disillusionment could fuel support for retrenchment, nationalism or a smaller, narrower conception of Europe — possibly undermining the original dream of a united Europe.
Pothier concludes that the European project needs a revival rooted not just in elite debates in Brussels, but in listening to everyday citizens and rebuilding European solidarity from the ground up. The “European dream” remains alive — but only if Europe can become more responsive, inclusive and connected to its people. Read the full article on POLITICO.
Fabrice Pothier brings a rare blend of hands-on engagement and strategic insight. Rather than analyze Europe from afar, he literally walked—or cycled—through it to meet real people and hear their concerns firsthand. That ground-level perspective, combined with his experience in European political and strategic circles, allows him to translate abstract institutional or geopolitical debates into concrete human stories. For audiences seeking to understand Europe’s future — its opportunities, challenges, and the gap between institutions and citizens — his voice offers both authenticity and clarity. To host Pothier for a speaking engagement, contact WWSG.
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