Think Again: European Decline by Mark Leonard & Hans Kundnani - Case Study Example

Article Analysis: Think Again: European Decline Recently, many global issues are facing most of the countries that include terrorism, pollution, diseases, floods, famine, economic decline and war and conflict. The article, Think Again: European Decline by Mark Leonard & Hans Kundnani mainly explain the decline of economy in Europe. The author indicates that it is fading in its relevance, which they have failed to realize. The article talks about the weak economic growth, complex decision making procedures and European crisis which are a clear indication of the decline (Kundnani and Leonard web). He also writes about country is able to rule the world. The writer in his argument supports the decline and puts across all the factors that are related to the economy. The writers talk about the effects of the rise in other countries such as Brazil and China. He argues that the rise in these countries causes the loss of power and the decline in the economy as countries increase the competition in the global market (Kundnani and Leonard). This is also possible as there is an increase in the support of the new products that are introduced as a result of the growing economies which lead to the decrease in it power globally. The decline is also as a result of the responsibilities and struggles that the European Union is involved in. They concentrate more on the factors and the crisis across the world and solving the global problems and regional conflicts as indicated in the article. This is seen for instance by their pledge to restore democracy in Tunisia and Egypt and the prevention of the takeover by drug smugglers and the jihadists. The authors give the clear implications the increase in the population growth, which causes problems in the economy. Europe is depicted as having a higher population growth compared to the USA. Population has adverse effects to the economy as well as the positive ones. On of the effects includes an increase in the non-working population, which is detrimental to the economy. The authors blame their contribution to the global issues for the decline (Kundnani and Leonard). They are involved and help in coming up with solutions to the problems facing different countries across the world. This has led to the extended crisis as they have deserted their own country to give the other. It is also clear that Europe is in an unstoppable decline owing to the change in its dominance globally. It is no longer the home for a new beginning or for clarification. This is because many countries are now developed for instance Brazil and China. They offer solutions to the rest of the world as opposed to the past when Europe offered the same solely due to the fact that it had been industrialized first and colonized most of the countries in the world. The authors write that the countries have been able to bounce back and compete with Europe. The countries have reduced the power and wealth gap over the years. This contributes to the decline in both power and wealth for the European Union. World War 2 also has a part to play as it increased the economic and political instability. This hastened the catching-up process for the countries. However, the article depicts the decline as relative and not absolute. Europe still maintains its position globally. For instance, the author writes about its strong and defense budget and increase in the high GDP per capita in terms of the purchasing power. They have also been able to maintain their economic interdependence with the rising countries thereby increasing their GDP and living standards. Democracy is another factor that the writers put into consideration in the article. Europe is known to enjoy democracy with the citizens ensuring they are included in the decision process and that their views are heeded. Coming up with ways of dealing with the problem is therefore as all the views are considered. The main argument that the authors use in the article are the decline to power and the factors involved. The authors argue out all the prevailing factors to the surrounding and come up with reasons to support. The authors mainly discuss Europe and the factors affecting it in the present day. He sees Europe as a country that is losing value to the economy as compared to the past, which he believes they are not aware of the facts, and hence has come up with little mechanisms to handle the crisis. The writers lay emphasis on the causes of the decline and puts across the possible changes to be employed to curb the reduction in their popularity (Kundnani and Leonard). He argues out differently and is able to come up with a way to handle the issue of relative and absolute decline. They view Europe as a country that losing the economy battle and joining the newly developed. The article has put clear the facts affecting Europe. For instance, the effects of the World War 2 which led to the increase of the catch up process and hence increased the decline. Leonard & Kundnani uses examples to explain their ideas. For instance, they give an example of the rising countries which include Britain and China; these are the upcoming countries that are pushing Europe from the global economy. The authors use examples and questions to explain their ideas. They to help readers understand their work they have given current examples such as that of Egypt and Tunisia. The use of simple language also aids in understanding the subject of the article. This gives the readers room to evaluate the article and come up with clear conclusions. The authors use their exceptional skills, which makes it interesting for the readers. There is also the use of the nonprofessional language to have the article understood by vast readers. This works best for the readers, as they are able to pick up the main points and build in them. Although the writers lack outside support arguments, the article fully shows the decline in the economy. The flow and detailed article helps in the support and determination of the main issues to be addressed. They have used the article to show all the information pertaining to the economy and the techniques to be implemented to mitigate the effects. The writers have used the different perspectives and observation to support their argument. They have been able to lay down their observation on the European economy. For instance, the have given their view on the potential economic decline. The writers have written courageously on the decreasing power and wealth of the economy the mistakes that the The writers are not perturbed by any factors in expressing their opinions and views about the matter at hand. They give their views as they have observed without the view that it might not be supported (Kundnani and Leonard). The writers have been able to prove the decline in their arguments. This is a belief they have built on and coming up with the arguments in support of the topic was inevitable. The arguments used in support of the topic are well laid down in the article. For instance the article states the factors that have led to the decline of the European economy which include the rise of new countries and their industrialization. Europe has also been fully occupied with solving the regional and global problems that it forgets to cater for the impacts that affects them. The writers justify the relative decline, which is well supported by the article. There are discussions and comparison. They have clearly stated the process that Europe has undertaken based on their observation and the research undertaken. The author uses his personal opinion as well as the outside sources to support their argument which help in convincing the readers that their work reduces biasness in decision making. Therefore, their argument is true and has higher chances of support from the society. Fareed Zakaria is an example of an outside source used in this article. They use the words of American pundit to explain the possible decline in the European economy. They also use the words of Kishore Mahbubani, Singaporean scholar to demonstrate the fact that Europe is unaware of the impeding crisis. This ensures that the article brings out the other people’s views and integrates them towards the achievement of the set goals. The use of outside sources convinces the reader that one cannot make a conclusion based on their personal views alone. The authors make use of the conflict, interaction, ecological and functionalist theoretical perspectives. Whereby, the interaction perspective involves focus on the details of what goes on in our daily lives. The conflict perspective ahs also been used. It involves how the society is shaped by the struggles and completion amongst the different groups. The economy has been shaped as a result of competition that exists in the global market which has been clearly shown in the article. The article succeeds in effective demonstration of the points. The reader can note all the information in the article. The readers are also able to use the article in different studies for instance coming up with a case study. For instance, one is able to come up with the solutions to emerging issues that they may have adverse effects (Kundnani and Leonard). The article has also used the examples to bring out all the factors about the case. This makes the work easier for the readers since they can easily deduce the information they need in the learning process and in practice. The global issue affects different actors in the international system. The actors are either in the global, systematic, domestic, state, or individual level. Decline in Europe economy affects the human societies which include the global economy. This is in the individual level of analysis. They are affected only when they are part of the organizations and as tourists and businesspersons in the foreign countries. For instance, the Europeans lose in their power and wealth. There are forced to go the outside market to access the goods they require. The tourists to Europe are affected in their purchasing power as the products prices. The individuals are however not affected in their private capacity as they are not international actors but only as the social factor. Those working in UN organizations are affected. They are international organs as their ways are affected by the rules put down to govern them. State actors include the central government of sovereign states of the world which is the most important actors within the global system; civil societies within the states and social communities. The actors are adversely affected by the change in the economy both internationally and locally within the European countries. The central government of sovereign states is affected. This is because the economic decline involves parties globally as Europe has had control in the global world. The decline has also had a great impact on interstate-level actors who include United Nations, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, multinational corporations, transnational banks and the central governments of sovereign states. The effects of the decline include the cost. The organizations are affected in that they work to ensure that the countries are doing well. Their purpose is to ensure that countries are doing well socially, politically and economically. They are thus faced with the responsibility to come up with policies to solve the crisis. The organizations carry out assessment procedures to determine the best options to be adopted. They are also in charge of mitigating the effects that are felt by the citizens. For instance the UNHCR is changed with the relocation of citizens around the world. The member states and EU institutions are making policies to reduce the impacts that result from the decline. The impacts include a rise in product prices, reduces the purchasing power of the residents due to a decrease in the salary levels and increase in the investment cost which discourages investors. The development levels are low since investors are discouraged from coming up with new ventures. The organizations have come up with policies to reduce the effects. The proposed alternatives are also looked into before they are implemented to ensure that only the best mechanisms are adopted. This is however faced with democracy issues whereby the residents risk losing their right to democracy. They are coming up with ways to ensure that the strict rules are revised and amended to ensure that democracy is maintained. The European parliament is also charged with amendment of the legislation to include the crisis and ways to cater for them. They do this with democracy to ensure all that individual rights are considered in the amendment process. The euro-zone suffers authenticity problems construction procedures. The use of the incremental strategy led to the development of Europe step by step to where it is today. This resulted to one currency which is hard to correct and build. A lot of efforts should be put in place to cater for the problem with the euro and the decline as well. With the economy decline, the euro also depreciates. The currency looses value and so is the amount of goods that can be purchased. The member states should come together and contribute their resources to prevent the damage from getting further. This is because the euro would have to be split to deal with the decline. Efforts should also be made to have Europe invest with other regions to have a diverse way of handling the crisis in the future. They should also encourage the development of other countries to help in the total growth of the global economy. Works cited Kundnani, Hans and Mark Leonard. "Think again: European decline | European Council on Foreign Relations." Ecfr.eu, 2013. Web. 6 Nov 2013. . Read More