Why Europe needs societal resilience as much as security
The Finnish word "Sisu" embodies the spirit that the European Union urgently needs. Often translated to perseverance and resilience under pressure, it also implies resolve, preparedness and a willingness to act.
The EU appears trapped in a geopolitical Murphy’s law: everything that can go wrong does go wrong. Allies test its territory, unity frays in the European Council, voters move to the fringes and demographic decline deepens.
Europe’s traditional strength lay in market power – shaping global rules through regulation. But in a world of tariffs and hard power, intensified by Russia’s war against Ukraine, defence and security have moved to centre stage.
Yet an exclusive focus on hard power overlooks the foundations that sustain it. Security ultimately rests on societies willing to defend shared values. Economic shocks caused by tariffs require economic resilience. Sisu highlights this insight: resilience must be cultivated in both institutions and in hearts and minds.
Has the EU taken a “holiday from history” by taking peace for granted? Somewhat suddenly, Europe is racing to catch up – boosting defence spending and rediscovering the language of 'preparedness'.
Preparedness is, however, more than military investment. It also requires courageous, resilient societies and more people-centred policies. In responding to war at our doorstep, is Brussels constrained by groupthink? Are 'cognitive blind spots' preventing more honest soul-searching?
Instead of despairing about the pace of change, the EU has a unique opportunity to shape its future. Preserving valuable aspects of the 'old order' requires doubling down on principles that set Europe apart – from protecting citizens from harmful AI uses to restoring trust in governments.
Crucially, these efforts must be matched with adequate financial resources to build whole-of-society resilience.
No doubt the Fins would agree.
The EPC's Social Europe and Well-being programme will be renamed to ‘Health and Societal Resilience’ to better reflect the strategic focus of the programme and strengthen its intersection with other EPC priorities. Follow us on LinkedIn here.
Elizabeth Kuiper is Associate Director and Head of the Health and Societal Resilience Programme (HSR).
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