Kefferpütz: Europe’s place amid the collapse of three orders

Flashcards covering the vocabulary and key concepts from Roderick Kefferpütz's commentary on the systemic disruption of European orders.

Systemic disruption

The simultaneous unravelling of the geopolitical, economic, and democratic orders that have long underpinned European stability and global role.

Geopolitical Order

A foundational order currently experiencing the return of unrestrained hard power, spheres of influence, and imperial ambition, notably due to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Economic Order

A system under pressure from the green transition, digitalization, artificial intelligence, and the shift of the global economic center of gravity to Asia.

Democratic and societal order

A fragile foundation increasingly marked by populism, polarization, political violence, and a growing "grievance-based society."

2025 Edelman Trust Barometer

A report that describes Europe as entering a "grievance-based society" where there is a widespread belief that institutions are unfair and ineffective.

Trump 2.0

A Washington administration described as an accelerant of the collapse of global orders by undermining NATO and launching tariff wars.

Independent Europe

The "next great unifying project" outlined by Ursula von der Leyen where Europe acts as a collective capable of shaping and defending its interests.

Pax Europaea

An imperative within the independent Europe project where the continent takes full responsibility for its own security.

Democracy Shield

An upcoming EU initiative aimed at protecting the Union from malign foreign interference.

Institutional overload

A challenge where the EU tries to do more with outdated structures, overstretched capacity, and implementation bottlenecks.

Subject of history

A strategic goal for Europe to actively shape global events rather than being an object on which geopolitical lines are drawn.

Clean industrial deal

An economic effort by the EU to boost investment and advance industrial models alongside the completion of the capital markets union.

Security and Defence Partnerships

Collaborative agreements established by the EU with countries such as Japan, Korea, and the United Kingdom.