Abstract
Europe ceased to be a concept years ago. It is now a concrete political, economical and social association of 27 states which aim to move on and improve together. Europe currently has a future and will draw it by its own means and will. Yet, Europe is taking her first steps alone. Since the creation of the European Steel and Coal Community and the treaty of Rome, Europe always walked two steps behind the United States. With its foundation at the end of World War two, Europe ensured that peace would be irreversible by developing a common market and interdependence between its member states. This Huntingtonian solution was soon followed by a common agricultural policy and currency, and other political consolidations through various treaties unifying the states politically. The end of the XXth century and the collapse of the USSR filled the European Union, with optimism. New member states joined the Union, and the development of a globalized world brought new hopes for democracy, new markets and investments, as well as new challenges. The aftermath of the subprime crisis in the USA has cast a shadow over the economic prospects of the entire EU, and for the first time, it has to walk alone. Before wondering what future for Europe is, we should raise the basic question such as: what is Europe? What challenges is it facing? What kind of Europe do the Europeans want? And what are the possibilities for its future?
