The European Union flag unraveling, symbolizing economic challenges.

Is the European Dream Fading? How Economic Policies are Shaping the Future of the EU

Theo Raines in Business & Economy December 2025 • 4 min read.

"A deep dive into how current monetary policies could be undermining the foundations of European unity and what it means for the future."

For over a decade, the European financial system has been grappling with unresolved crises. While the European Central Bank's (ECB) extensive purchases of government bonds have stabilized struggling southern European economies, a sustainable economic recovery remains elusive. Meanwhile, in Germany, historically low-interest rates and the associated devaluation of the Euro are fueling export and real estate bubbles, signaling potential economic overheating.

The future of the European Union is a subject of intense debate. The European Commission (2017) advocates for deeper integration through the completion of the banking union and the creation of a common finance ministry. Similarly, Commission President Juncker (2017) has called for the expansion of the Eurozone. This vision aligns with France's traditional approach, emphasizing centralized control.

However, voices like Gunther Schnabl and Sebastian Müller are cautioning against these trends, pointing out how the current trajectory deviates from the principles that once underpinned European success. Understanding these perspectives is crucial for anyone invested in the stability and prosperity of the EU.

Eucken's Principles: The Economic Cornerstone of European Integration

The European Union flag unraveling, symbolizing economic challenges.

The German economic model, which prioritized free markets, was a central factor in the European integration process. Rooted in the experiences of the Weimar Republic, this model emphasized decentralized decision-making and stable monetary policy.

According to economist Walter Eucken (1952), a sound economic order rests on several key principles:

Decentralized decisions: Free markets with competitive businesses prevent the political manipulation of prices.
Monetary stability: A stable currency is crucial to avoid distorting price signals and misallocating investments.
Open markets: Open competition encourages a diverse range of businesses, ensuring fair prices and consumer-oriented production.
Private property: Private property incentivizes innovation and efficiency.
Freedom of contract: Businesses can freely negotiate agreements within a clear legal framework.
Liability principle: Individuals and businesses must be held accountable for their actions.
Consistent economic policy: Predictable policies allow businesses to plan investments effectively.

These principles, when implemented together, create a stable and prosperous economic environment. However, the current monetary policies of the ECB are increasingly undermining these very foundations.

Navigating the Path Forward

The future of the European Union hinges on a return to sound economic principles and a commitment to stability-oriented monetary policy. While a gradual exit from ultra-loose monetary policy is essential, it must be carefully managed to avoid triggering further economic disruption. Only by fostering a climate of innovation, productivity, and responsible governance can Europe secure a prosperous future for all its citizens.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1515/ordo-2018-0002, Alternate LINK

Title: Zur Zukunft Der Europäischen Union Aus Ordnungspolitischer Perspektive

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: ORDO

Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH

Authors: Gunther Schnabl, Sebastian Müller

Published: 2017-03-01

Everything You Need To Know

What economic policies have been implemented, and what have been their effects?

The economic policies of the European Central Bank (ECB), such as extensive purchases of government bonds, have aimed to stabilize struggling economies within the European Union. These actions, while providing short-term relief, have not fostered a sustainable economic recovery. Additionally, historically low-interest rates and the devaluation of the Euro, also a result of these policies, have led to potential economic imbalances, such as export and real estate bubbles in Germany.

What are Eucken's Principles, and why are they important?

Eucken's Principles are a set of economic guidelines that emphasize free markets, monetary stability, and responsible economic governance. Walter Eucken (1952) believed that implementing these principles would create a stable and prosperous economic environment. They include decentralized decisions, monetary stability, open markets, private property, freedom of contract, liability principle, and consistent economic policy. Their significance lies in their foundational role in the European integration process and their potential to guide the future of the European Union towards stability and prosperity.

What is monetary stability, and how are current policies affecting it?

The concept of monetary stability, as emphasized by Eucken's Principles, is about maintaining a stable currency to avoid distorting price signals and misallocating investments. Current monetary policies, particularly those of the ECB, are seen as undermining this principle. The actions such as the ECB's bond purchases and low-interest rates have had implications for the stability of the Eurozone, affecting economic growth and potentially leading to imbalances.

What does decentralized decision-making mean, and how does it relate to the European Union?

Decentralized decision-making, as advocated by Eucken, involves free markets with competitive businesses to prevent political manipulation of prices. In the context of the European Union, this means promoting competition and limiting government intervention in the economy. The shift towards deeper integration, as advocated by the European Commission and President Juncker, could potentially centralize control and deviate from this principle, which could have long-term effects.

What does the future of the European Union depend on?

The future of the European Union hinges on a return to sound economic principles and a commitment to stability-oriented monetary policy. A gradual exit from ultra-loose monetary policy is essential, but must be carefully managed to avoid triggering further economic disruption. Fostering a climate of innovation, productivity, and responsible governance is essential. The European Commission's calls for deeper integration and expansion of the Eurozone are subjects of intense debate, with voices like Gunther Schnabl and Sebastian Müller cautioning against these trends.