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Is the European Union in decline? Recent history, from the debt and migration crises to Brexit, has led many observers to argue that the EU鈥檚 best days are behind it. Over the past decade, right-wing populists have come to power in Poland, Hungary, and beyond鈥攎any of them winning elections using strident anti-EU rhetoric. At the same time, Russia poses a continuing military threat, and the rise of Asia has challenged the EU’s economic power. But in Embattled Europe, renowned European historian Konrad Jarausch counters the prevailing pessimistic narrative of European obsolescence with a rousing yet realistic defense of the continent鈥攐ne grounded in a fresh account of its post鈥�1989 history and an intimate understanding of its twentieth-century horrors.

An engaging narrative and probing analysis, Embattled Europe tells the story of how the EU emerged as a model of democratic governance and balanced economic growth, adapting to changing times while retaining its value system. The book describes the EU鈥檚 admirable approach to the environment, social welfare, immigration, and global competitiveness. And it presents underappreciated European success stories鈥攊ncluding Denmark鈥檚 transition to a green economy, Sweden鈥檚 restructuring of its welfare state, and Poland鈥檚 economic miracle.

Embattled Europe makes a powerful case that Europe鈥攚ith its peaceful foreign policy, social welfare solidarity, and environmental protection鈥攐ffers the best progressive alternative to the military adventurism and rampant inequality of plutocratic capitalism and right-wing authoritarianism.