The integration project of the European Union has not progressed much beyond its economic successes, and the original idea of a political union has drifted far away following the crises of the past decade. With Russia's aggression against Ukraine, a crisis has emerged that poses enormous internal and external challenges to Europe, requiring a reassessment of the geopolitical and economic conditions of the European Union. For the 2nd edition, the contents have been revised and updated accordingly. New are the two chapters on the Ukraine war and its influence on the European Union's efforts to address the energy crisis and climate change.

Univ.-Doz. Dr. Heinz Handler holds a habilitation in economic policy from the Vienna University of Technology. He has previously worked as a researcher at the Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the Austrian Ministry of Economics. Currently, he serves as an Emeritus Consultant at WIFO and is also the Deputy Chairman of the Vienna-based think tank "Policy Crossover Center Vienna-Europe".