The book begins with Sophie Amundsen, a 14-year-old Norwegian girl, who starts a correspondence course in philosophy after receiving mysterious letters and packages. She is taught by the philosopher Alberto Knox, who guides her through the history of Western philosophy, from pre-Socratic thinkers to Jean-Paul Sartre. As Sophie delves deeper into philosophy, she uncovers a complex narrative involving another girl, Hilde, and her father, Albert Knag, who is the author of the philosophical manuscript. The story intertwines philosophy with a meta-fictional plot, where Sophie and Alberto eventually escape Knag's imagination and enter a new existence as spirits, interacting weakly with the real world[1][3][5].
In 'Kaput: The End of the German Miracle,' Wolfgang Münchau argues that the weaknesses of Germany's economy have been brewing for decades. The book critiques the neo-mercantilist policies of the German state, driven by close connections between the country's industrial and political elite, which have left Germany technologically behind and over-reliant on authoritarian Russia and China. Münchau also discusses the impact of Germany's dependence on cheap energy, particularly Russian gas, and its failed bets on China. The book is an essential read for anyone interested in the future of Europe's largest economy.
On 1 January, Poland assumed presidency of the EU Council. But it steps into the spotlight during a period of seismic geopolitical shifts. With the war in Ukraine raging and Donald Trump’s imminent return to power, Poland faces immense pressure to lead while navigating Europe’s complex security landscape.
This week Mark Leonard welcomes Joanna Bekker, deputy managing director at leading Polish think-tank Polityka Insight, Piotr Buras, head of ECFR’s Warsaw office, and Marta Prochwicz Jazowska, deputy head of ECFR’s Warsaw office, to discuss Poland’s presidency of the EU Council. What does its motto of “security” mean for Europe in practice? Will the upcoming Polish presidential election impact its direction? And, with France and Germany missing in action, can Poland seize the moment to assume greater leadership in Europe?
Bookshelf:
Smart Brevity: The Power of Saying More with Less by Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, and Roy Schwartz
Kaput: The End of the German Miracle by Wolfgang Münchau
Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder
This podcast was recorded on 8 January 2025
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