Welcome to the third edition of the New Direction annual European Journal. For three years running, the European Journal has served as New Direction’s flagship publication, devoted to current affairs, culture, and providing a conservative perspective on the events and trends that will shape the year ahead.
The first two years of the 2020s have so far been marred by the coronavirus, a pandemic that has changed everything about our societies, from the way we communicate with one another, to the way we do business, to how decisions are made in politics. However, hope arrived in the form of vaccines which have helped to restore a sense of normality.
And yet as restrictions around the world are lifted, and the virus is brought under control, we find ourselves in a very different world. This year, there have been major changes in leadership and direction in Germany and the United States, and we are due to see further shifts in France this year.
The Western Balkans are again in the spotlight, and so too is the Baltic region. And of course, China has become increasingly emboldened on the world stage, posing new challenges for the Western world both in Asia and in Europe.
In this edition of the European Journal, our writers – drawn up from the best of academia, journalism, and politics – address all these issues and more. Best-selling author Tim Marshall gives us his geopolitical analysis of the world in 2022. Chair of the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee Tom Tugendhat writes about what Brexit means for UK-EU relations. Oxford historian Pratinav Anil looks at what comes next for India as it approaches its 75th birthday. And journalist Anne-Elisabeth Moutet presents some of the challenges in this year’s French Presidential Elections.
We have a special report on the history of conservative thought, from its origins in Islamic Spain, to the Scottish enlightenment movement and ending with the Austrian School of economic thought, with contributions from philosopher Mustaf Akyol, and economists Juan Soto and Julian Jessop.
As always, we have our culture section, rich in coverage of the latest films, TV shows, books, and exhibitions. As well as pieces on wine, travel, and opera.
Finally, we look back and remember those key conservative figures who left us in the last year; Prince Philip, George Schultz, Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, Colin Powell, Donald Rumsfeld, and others who left an impact on our movement.
We very much hope you enjoy reading this year’s European Journal.
- Tomasz Poręba MEP, New Direction President
