Autonomorphosis: How the EU must evolve
Every nation seeks strategic autonomy: the ability to make sovereign decisions and act independently, free from external pressures or over-reliance on foreign powers for resources, security, or stability. However, this aspirational goal lacks the sense of urgency Europe needs to drive change. Thus, we introduce the concept of “Autonomorphosis.”
An Introduction to European Prosperity
Since the 1940s, Europe has gradually rebuilt itself through trade with its partners. The Single Market, established by the Treaty of Rome in 1957 along with the European Economic Community, became a cornerstone of Europe’s renewed prosperity, attracting nations eager to embrace its benefits.
This success, however, was built on growing interdependencies:
- Russian Energy: Cheap gas and oil flowed into Europe, powering industries and homes, reducing living and working costs.
- American Military Protection: NATO, backed by the United States, has been the backbone of European defense, deterring Soviet and later Russian aggression against its members.
- Chinese Manufacturing: “Made in China” goods, whether western-branded or low-cost, flooded European markets, ensuring high purchasing power, fast consumer access and the emergence of online impulse buying.
- Big Tech Corporations: From GAFAM (Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft) to Alibaba, Tencent, and ByteDance (TikTok), Europe integrated their external digital infrastructure, from cloud storage to social media, from search engines to app ecosystems.
Prosperity was built on the assumption that partners would remain partners, bound by mutual economic interests, with too much to lose by challenging the status quo.
However, it is now 2025, and this assumption is crumbling. Numerous events have exposed Europe’s vulnerabilities: the war in Ukraine led by Russia exploited Europe’s energy dependence, assuming it would fold under high prices; the return of Donald Trump, backed by corporate interests and the extremist Project 2025, now threatens to get out of NATO, when he doesn’t envision the annexation of Greenland; supply chain crises during the COVID-19 pandemic showed how fragile European access to essential goods truly is; social media billionaires interfere in European elections, supporting Euroskeptic, far-right parties.
Dependancies have left Europe in a weak position, at risk to be divided and conquered once more, should nothing be done to stop that trend.
What Does “Autonomorphosis” Mean?
In such a situation, pursuing strategic autonomy is no longer sufficient. We need speed, ambition, and boldness. This is what Autonomorphosis is about.
Autonomorphosis is not a mere policy shift -gradual, slow, uninterrupted: it is a mindset, driven by urgency and courage to metamorphose. It involves more than investing in European defense or reshoring critical industries. It is about educating citizens about accepting a new paradigm where purchasing power is traded for independence, with the objective of securing long-term freedom, safety, jobs and the capacity to evolve on our own.
It is not about simply developing energy independence or strengthening technological innovation. It is about breaking addictions: to cheap gas, to cheap goods, to digital monopolies and the oligarchy they empower.
Above all, it is about uniting a divided continent around a single goal: stronger together. This will be one of Europe’s greatest challenges, as centuries of competition, haggling, and national self-interest stand in the way.
Some examples of these internal fractures include:
- Nuclear Energy: Despite being a key technology for energy independence, Europe remains divided on nuclear power. Public fears, rooted in Chernobyl and Fukushima, continue to sway, while many national leaders hesitate to invest in a field where they lack expertise.
- Defense Autonomy: While the idea of a united European Army is appealing in theory, European nations struggle to develop joint defense programs in practice.
- The FCAS (Future Combat Air System), a Franco-German-Spanish 6th-gen fighter project is plagued by industrial rivalries (Dassault vs. Airbus), resulting in slow progress.
- The MGCS (Main Ground Combat System), a joint Franco-German tank project to replace the Leopard 2 and Leclerc tanks, is facing disagreements over industry shares and requirements.
- The MAWS (Maritime Airborne Warfare System), a Franco-German project for future maritime patrol aircraft has been stalled due to shifting priorities.
- Opt-Out Clauses: Numerous opt-out clauses in the Union allow for à la carte partnerships. The Eurozone, the Common Security and Defense Policy or the European Public Prosecutor’s Office haven’t been joined by all members, respectively weakening the strength of the Euro currency, of European military preparedness, and law enforcement against financial fraud. Even the Charter of Fundamental Rights isn’t completely enforced.
- Veto Abuse: While the Lisbon Treaty of 2009 reduced the number of areas where vetoes can be used, shifting many decisions to a qualified majority voting system, certain sensitive areas still require unanimity such as foreign affaires, security and EU enlargement. It has been exploited by member states such as Hungary to delay or block EU initiatives, especially about the defence and support of Ukraine.
Such problems can be likened to wounds that are going to fester if left untouched. Only by addressing can Europe seize the means to forge its own destiny, in accordance with its values and citizens’ interests.
Ecu Radio’s Stance
Ecu Radio stands firmly for Autonomorphosis. This is a fight against interdependancies, bureaucratic inefficiencies, political hesitation, national rivalries, corruption, foreign propaganda and the complacency that keeps Europe stagnant.
Only by embracing true change can Europe evolve into something stronger, richer, and ultimately better.
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