Is Europe Dying?

A Deep Dive into the Continent's Future with Dr. Eric Hendriks

In a candid conversation with Dutch sociologist Dr. Eric Hendricks, we dive into the geopolitical currents shaping Europe, America, and China. From Europe’s identity crisis to the specter of a U.S.-China conflict, we wrestle with questions about immigration, power, and morality in a world in which the US is no longer the global hegemon.

Is Europe Declining or Being Reshaped?

Europe’s future really does hang in the balance—economically, demographically, and technologically (power and AI). Is it fading into irrelevance, or morphing into something new? Unlike myself, Eric radiates optimism, seeing resilience in Europe’s cultural and economic fabric. I pushed back: What about immigration, one of the main issues dominating headlines and contributing to public anxiety? Why should Europeans pay the costs for countless refugees? While Eric champions migration as a net positive, I counter: How much is too much? Are refugees assimilating into European values or are they reshaping host nations to fit their own? In my opinion, tensions between integration and identity clearly remain unresolved, with Europe at a crossroads.

America vs. China: Conflict on the Horizon?

Shifting gears, we turn to China. Eric lived there for years and researches China's policy. I ask the obvious question: Is a U.S.-China clash inevitable? Are tariffs, as America wields them, a smart play to boost competitiveness or do they risk escalation? Meanwhile, China projects confidence, touting its allegedly financially disciplined system as superior to the West’s. But is this projection propaganda or a genuine alternative to Western economic and geopolitical ways of engagement?

Morality and Error Correction in a Chaotic World

Is there morality in geopolitics? Should there be? We explore how to inject error correction into global systems—through diplomacy, trade reforms, or cultural exchange—to avoid catastrophic missteps. Where are we headed? Neither of us has a crystal ball, but the path forward hinges on whether nations can balance competition with cooperation. Eric is optimistic. I am not.

The Stakes

This conversation with Dr. Hendricks reveals the world at a tipping point. Europe grapples with identity, America with rivalry, and China with ambition. The questions about borders, power, and values cut deep. Geopolitics is not just about maps or markets; it’s about who we are and what we’ll become. If you’re looking for optimism about Europe’s future, start with this conversation.