Europe Will Never Stop Growing

Foreign Policy

by Caroline de Gruyter

February 25, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Europe’s enduring strength lies in its ability to adapt and grow despite recurring challenges, as highlighted by a new book drawing parallels between Elinor Ostrom’s Nobel Prize-winning research on shared resources and the European Union (EU). Ostrom’s theory emphasizes how communities collaborate to manage vital resources for mutual benefit, not out of altruism but due to self-interest in preserving shared assets from exploitation. The EU, with its 27 member states, mirrors this dynamic by working together to maintain common resources like the internal market, euro, and security frameworks, even when crises test their resolve. The book *From Club to Commons* challenges the traditional view of the EU as an exclusive club managing shared goods for its members. While clubs are static and inward-looking, the EU’s resources—ranging from natural assets to man-made systems like defense cooperation—are inherently open to outsiders such as non-EU countries, companies, and individuals. This openness makes Europe’s common goods more vulnerable but also underscores their global significance. For instance, during the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, EU member states were forced to deepen integration to protect these shared resources, showcasing resilience despite political divisions. The authors argue that the EU’s evolution from a club to a commons reflects its necessity for ongoing reform and enlargement. Unlike clubs, which don’t inherently require change or expansion, the EU must continuously adapt to safeguard its common goods against external threats and internal fragmentation. This shift is particularly evident in areas like security, where non-member states like the UK and Ukraine play increasingly important roles alongside traditional members. Meanwhile, the EU’s appeal as a destination for business, education, and asylum-seeking remains a double-edged sword—drawing global attention but also exposing its resources to greater vulnerability. The book highlights how the EU’s journey

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Originally published on Foreign Policy on 2/25/2026