Can Europe Survive?

David Marsh is one of the foremost writers and commentators on European economics, finance, and politics. Co-founder and chairman of the OMFIF economic research group, he is a former Financial Times European editor and the author of six books, including The New Germany, The Euro, and Europe’s Deadlock.

“One of the most knowledgeable observers of Europe.”—Martin Wolf, Financial TimesA Financial Times Book of the Year 2025“For more than a quarter of a century, Marsh has been at the heart of the major political and economic events in the EU. . . . So what he has to say deserves close attention.”—Roger Bootle, Telegraph“Marsh poses a question that has become more urgent than rhetorical, namely whether Europe can survive as a coherent political and economic force. The answer, as his book makes clear, depends less on Europeans knowing what to do than on finding the will to do it.”—Amanda Sloat, Financial Times“Marsh, a leading commentator on European affairs, draws on an unsurpassed store of journalistic contacts, economic insight, and knowledge of how the EU really works to analyze its responses to various crises since 1989. This meaty yet readable book is essential for anyone engaged with European politics.”—Andrew Moravcsik, Foreign Affairs“A rich smorgasbord of recent history, buttressed (and enlivened) . . . by Marsh’s mastery of the key issues and pertinent developments.”—Ian Harwood, Society of Professional Economists“Exceptionally well-written.”—Kingsley Moghalu, Project Syndicate“Masterful.”—Vikram Khanna, Straits Times“Masterful.”—Vikram Khanna, Straits Times“Excellent.”—Brendan Simms, The Critic“A privilege to read.”—Gordon Brown, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom“A rare balance of understanding between the people, the politics and the economics.”—Philip Zelikow, author of The Road Less Traveled “David Marsh is the ideal author to point us to the dangers confronting Europe and the ways forward.”—Lord Meghnad Desai, author of The Poverty of Political Economy“David Marsh has once again proven his unique talent for decoding the hidden architecture of European and global monetary power.”—Natacha Valla, Dean, School of Management and Innovation, Sciences Po“A bleak, minutely researched and persuasive analysis of the ‘tide of adversity’ that has brought Europe to its present pass.”—Philip Short, author of Putin: His Life and Times“A masterly account.”—Lord Norman Lamont, former British Chancellor of the Exchequer“A masterpiece—full of precious insights.”—Jacques de Larosière, former Managing Director, IMF, and former Governor, Banque de France“A magisterial account of Europe’s variable geometry.”—Anne Simpson, Global Head of Sustainability, Franklin Templeton“A magnificent book.”—Charles Goodhart, co-author of The Great Demographic Reversal“Persistently iconoclastic and interesting.”—Harold James, author of Seven Crashes“A tour de force.”—Lord David Owen, former British Foreign Secretary“There is no better guide.”—Lord Mervyn King, former Governor, Bank of England“A bracing, clear-eyed account of a continent at a crossroads.”—Edward Fishman, author of Chokepoints