The Decline and Fall of Europe

Excellent video series here:

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MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2008

The Decline and Fall of Europe: Chapter 1 of 5

Professor Bruce Thornton of Cal State Fresno describes a European civilization that after twenty-five centuries is drawing to an end. He lists the symptoms: Economies are less adaptable and competitive because of an enormous regulatory burden; social welfare entitlements are incredibly expensive; and, demographically, Europeans simply aren’t reproducing. At the source of this demise is a loss of the foundational belief system that created the West — that created Europe — in the first place.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2008

The Decline and Fall of Europe: Chapter 2 of 5

If Europe is still democratic, and if it still embraces the free market, why should anyone care that Judaeo-Christian religious beliefs are slipping across the region? Of course, the tide of faith has been going out for a long time — since the Enlightenment — and the rise of science is a good reason why. But Prof. Thornton says this is particularly worrisome today because of the coinciding rise of radical Islam.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2008

The Decline and Fall of Europe: Chapter 3 of 5

Prof. Thornton discusses how a bureaucratic European Union “super state” is undermining the old nation-states of England, France, and Germany — a dangerous process. Uber-nationalism, of course, gave us the fascist European movements of the 20th century. Under the “enlightened” guidance of the EU, however, any nationalism is looked upon as reprehensible. Thornton counters that deep-rooted nationalism is a net good, and that its deterioration will coincide with the loss of representative democracy.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 2008

The Decline and Fall of Europe: Chapter 4 of 5

Children are expensive, and they require a sacrifice of time and interest by parents. But what is the root cause of Europe’s ongoing demographic suicide — which coincides, by the way, with an explosion of the Muslim demographic on the continent? Prof. Thornton says Europeans are not reproducing because “the dolce vita lifestyle does not include children.” A Europe that is drawn to instant pleasure has little interest in investing in either children or the future of the Europe. PERMALINK

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FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2008

The Decline and Fall of Europe: Chapter 5 of 5

Prof. Thornton says the U.S. needs to show Europe some tough love, with particular regard to military matters. For instance, today the U.S. plays the necessary role of global policeman, but in terms of the security provided by the U.S., Europe is getting a free ride. This needs to end. Says Thornton, “We need to say to Europe: You guys are rich. You wanna be a big, important player? Spend the money on the military and then we’ll deal with you.”

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