ABSTRACT
This chapter lays out the background and objectives of the book. In particular, it investigates the role of crises, challenges and important milestones in shaping European integration to date. The chapter also introduces the analytical framework – based on the European Commission’s 2017 White Paper on five scenarios for the future of Europe – that will structure the subsequent analysis provided in the book. The chapter outlines the contributions made by the individual authors and highlights important aspects of their insights for European futures to 2050 and beyond.
