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While the culture war is already unfolding on a global scale, influencing deeper geopolitical power dynamics, and the shift in American policy could bring significant changes in this regard, Europe continues to struggle with defining itself. Its weakening strength and diminishing position of power have long urged the recovery of its lost identity and the development of a shared vision for the future. At MCC's conference in Brussels on Wednesday, participants agreed that at this turning point of global transformation, the decision can no longer be postponed—Europe's role in the new era must be clarified.
More than 150 participants gathered in Brussels for a full-day conference to discuss Europe’s existential challenges. Thought leaders, academics, and policymakers explored how a continent struggling to define its identity and core values can overcome its weakening position in a rapidly transforming global landscape.
Speakers highlighted that Europe’s declining economic, social, and military power stems from a crisis of identity. This lack of self-definition exacerbates its vulnerability amidst global upheavals. Jacob Reynolds, MCC Brussels’ Head of Policy, opened the event by emphasizing the failure of European leadership to grasp strategic autonomy and seize 21st-century opportunities. He noted that cultural confusion has shifted focus to alternative minorities rather than national ones, with Donald Trump representing new possibilities in global politics.
Nathan Levine, a research associate at the Asia Society Policy Institute, addressed the role of economic policies in today’s cultural wars. Drawing on ideas from Frank Füredi, he argued that the West lacks a coherent cultural ideology, relying instead on reactive mechanisms, while China integrates culture into its strategic competition with the West. Levine pointed out China’s restrictions on Western cultural influences, such as youth gaming and media, as measures to protect its society from Western disruption.
In his lecture, Frank Füredi criticized Western elites for abandoning national interests in favor of global ideologies, creating a moral and leadership crisis. He noted that while China honors its philosophical roots, the West neglects its own classics, leading to cultural chaos both between civilizations and within Europe. Füredi called for a return to realist politics grounded in national interests to counter the dominance of countercultures and cultural fragmentation.
A panel discussion explored Europe’s inability to respond decisively to current crises, with panelists analyzing the potential impact of a new U.S. presidency on European strategies. Agnieszka Kolek, MCC Brussels’ Head of Cultural Relations, pointed to the difficulty of unifying diverse European nations under a coherent strategy. Bill Durodié, guest professor at MCC Brussels, emphasized the need for faith and cohesion, while journalist Ashley Rindsberg critiqued the West's rejection of objective truths in media.
The final session examined Europe’s place in a shifting world order. Speakers contrasted stable "civilization-states" like China and India with Europe’s moralizing liberal experiment. Anton Bendarzsevszkij, Director of the Oeconomus Research Foundation, criticized Western overconfidence post-Cold War, calling for industrial and energy reforms. Writer Niccolo Soldo urged Europe to rediscover its shared roots, while others highlighted the urgency of clear strategies for Ukraine and global competition.
The conference concluded with a call for Europe to reevaluate its identity and role in the evolving global environment. Participants agreed that adaptation, a revival of cultural heritage, and a return to fundamental values are critical for Europe’s future. Bold political leadership will also be essential in navigating this era of uncertainty.
