The Rise of Illiberalism by Ivan Krastev

All over the West capitalism becomes to be perceived as a dead end. Moreover, for the first time a leader of an EU country has undermined pluralism and minority rights as the foundation of a functioning political model. 

The European liberal democracy has come under a lot of pressure over the past year. The Russian annexation of Crimea and the crisis in Ukraine shook the belief that economic codependence rules out war. The stagnating European economy contributed to the success of radical and extremist parties, both in European and national elections. Is illiberalism entering the mainstream of politics in Europe?

In an interview with Maciej Nowicki, political scientist Ivan Krastev analyzes the illiberal trends across the continent. Krastev points out the contradictions contained in political alternatives represented by Orbán and Putin, explaining why, “ their utopia will never become more than utopia.” Yet, he warns that liberal institutions are weakened and what Europe needs is "honest reformism".

To find out more about Krastev’s assessment of the challenges to the liberal European model, read the whole interview here.