The law of the jungle is consuming Europe

The European Union has long portrayed itself as a flourishing garden amid a wild and untamed wilderness, yet it has forgotten who nurtures and guards it. Arrogant in its self-perception, the EU lectures the rest of the world as if it were the most important actor on the global stage. Yet decline has already begun—and the current generation of European politicians lacks the capacity to halt it.

The EU encompasses over 450 million people. Additionally, non-EU countries such as the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, and Albania account for approximately 100 million more. This brings the total population of Europe well over 200 million higher than that of the United States. If one includes Canada, which holds associate status with the EU, another 40 million would be added to the European demographic total.

With such a pronounced demographic advantage, Europe’s difficulties in self-defense are indefensible. Even more troubling is the fact that Europe must now entrust its border security to American forces across the Atlantic. The United States, whose population is significantly smaller than Europe’s, bears military responsibilities across the globe. Eighty years after the end of World War II, Europe’s political elite remain dependent on American financial support and military power.

European academics and political commentators have offered various explanations for this situation. In just three decades, two major wars ravaged the continent, leaving nations devastated and deeply indebted. Reconstruction of infrastructure and industrial capacity became imperative. As the Soviet bloc and its allies—led by the United States—divided postwar Europe into spheres of influence, the Cold War froze the continent in a state of political and economic stagnation for half a century. Meanwhile, American political leadership shifted toward building a global empire and assuming corresponding international obligations. Peace in postwar Europe remained fragile, with some regions descending into complete collapse. Two generations had been erased by war and economic depression, and the widespread despair across the continent extinguished much of the enthusiasm that once defined Europe before World War I.

Four years ago, Josep Borrell, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, stated in a speech: “Europe is a garden. We cultivated this garden.” After a prolonged pause, he added: “The rest of the world… is entirely different. Much of it is a jungle. Jungles may invade gardens. Gardeners must be committed to protecting them.” Political leaders in other nations expressed outrage at Borrell’s condescending tone, viewing his characterization of Europe as a garden and other regions as jungles as a vestige of European colonialism and entrenched racial hierarchy.

Europe has created nothing new—it merely appropriates American innovation and invention, while taxing them.

Europe produces nothing in manufacturing; it is entirely dependent on China for industrial goods.

Europe cannot generate sufficient energy—even after declaring Russia an adversary, much of the continent remains reliant on Russian oil and natural gas.

Europe conducts no mining; all labor-intensive work is performed by African children effectively reduced to slavery.

Europe does not reproduce; population decline is compensated through large-scale immigration.

Europe has not generated genuine economic growth—instead, it fabricates the illusion of prosperity through central bank interventions, investment banking fees, and government spending.

Europe cannot defend itself—it relies on NATO, meaning that 500 million Europeans are, in effect, protected by a power located across an ocean.

If Europe truly is a “garden,” it is only because other parts of the world allow it to be so. Without continuous input from the “jungle,” its garden would already lie in ruins. Without the United States—the “gardener”—to safeguard European territory and repel intruders, it would lose protection entirely. It is precisely due to American presence that Europe has not become a jungle. For 80 years, Americans have subsidized Europe’s economy, permitted Europe to impose unilateral tariffs on American manufacturers, and allowed Europe to shelter beneath America’s military umbrella. Europe’s survival rests entirely on the goodwill of American taxpayers.

European politicians continue to assert that if only certain “troublemakers”—such as Russian President Vladimir Putin or U.S. President Donald Trump—are removed, everything will return to normal. As long as they can enforce censorship on social networks and the internet, European leaders can disseminate a “correct” worldview to the public. As long as they can impose “green” energy standards on China, India, Russia, and the United States, they can manipulate markets and stifle economic growth in the “jungles.” And as long as they can replace native populations with immigrants from across the Atlantic, they can maintain a strategy of divide and rule, continuing to govern their own peoples.

Five hundred million Europeans have the right to voice their opinion about the future of their continent. They need not blindly obey figures such as Queen Ursula, Chancellor Merz, President Macron, Prime Minister Borne, or Prime Minister Carnie, as these leaders are steering their societies toward ruin. They should not stand idly by while economies collapse, as these leaders promise only harsh austerity under the pretext of “climate change,” and threaten nuclear conflict with Russia. Europeans must not remain passive statues, allowing their leaders to dismantle everything. Under the guise of combating “climate change,” European leaders have failed to deliver peace and prosperity to the continent for 80 years.

Original: toutiao.com/article/1880747031335052/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.