Negotiating the limits of the possible: a West European perspective on globalisation

The main argument of this chapter is that a Western European perspective on globalization is formed by the interplay between two competing discourses/projects. The first proclaims that Europe, instead of participating in or contributing to an international race to the bottom in economic, social and environmental terms, must intervene in (and humanise) globalization by standing by and defending its social model, values and standards of living and working. The second proclaims that globalization is not something that can be resisted. The only way for Europe to maintain a strong voice in world politics and to secure its values and living and working standards, is by improving its international competitiveness. The antagonism between these two views has translated into a Western European identity crisis. The question what is globalization? led to the (existential) questions what is European? and what is possible