Abstract / DOI
Europa semper reformanda est: A Protestant Perspective of Political Realism. Religious belief is one of the most important sources of our European system of values, and one that is indispensable for policy makers. In his essay, Wolfgang Schäuble analyses the formative role of Christianity, the Reformation and Protestantism in the development of political culture, democracy and human rights. In his plea in support of the shared project of Europe as a political entity united in its «reconciled diversity», the President of the German Bundestag outlines his pragmatic vision of a national and European double democracy in the age of globalisation and new particularisms. From the perspective of the abiding hope of a Christian endowed with freedom who meets the world with optimism, confidence, openness, courage and humility, he considers the future of Europe with a new balance of realism and enthusiasm for the project of integration.