Emotional Intelligence: The future of Europe (an Union)

Abstract

Within a year two populations of Europe – one in the south, the other in the north – have voted against the European Union (EU) and its policy. They did this out of entirely different motives and with different aims. Whereas on 5 July 2015 the Greek OXI was directed against the austerity dictates of the Troika and the degradation of Greece to the state of a semi-colonial country, the British Brexit above all was characterized by the fear of "foreigners"and the desire to escape from the freedom of movement in the EU. The crisis highlighted the economic interdependence of the EU, while also underscoring the lack of political integration necessary to provide a coordinated fiscal and monetary response. This paper offers a fresh perspective on how trust has been deteriorating considerably during the recent crisis in European countries which are the most affected by the ongoing economic downturn, mostly in the periphery. Consecutively, EU needs to respond to public apathy and anger with emotional intelligence and offer solutions that feel relevant to people today.