A US Senator's Unholy Proposal: The End of European Autonomy in Jeopardy
The Exclusive Citizenship Act, championed by Ohio Republican Senator Bernie Moreno, poses an existential threat to the United States' transatlantic relationships. By stripping American citizens of their citizenship for taking on a foreign nationality, the bill seeks to enforce a zero-sum game where one side's gain is another's loss. For author Alexander Hurst, this draconian measure is merely a symptom of a broader trend: an America determined to dismantle its historic alliances and supplant them with far-right, neo-fascist partners hostile to European integration.
US policy now openly advocates for the erosion of Europe's democratic institutions and the marginalization of progressive politics. This stance is nothing short of hostility, eerily reminiscent of Russia's ill-fated attempts to fracture British society through Brexit and the US by fueling disinformation and promoting divisive rhetoric. In response, European nations have cowered, capitulated, or acquiesced to the White House's punitive measures, ignoring the increasingly obvious insults and aggression emanating from Washington.
The EU, with its commitment to cosmopolitanism and rule of law, stands as a bulwark against this growing menace. As Jürgen Habermas and Jacques Derrida predicted two decades ago, Europe faces an existential crisis in defending its values against the forces of authoritarianism. The authors' call for a new European public sphere with a shared sense of purpose and future has yet to be realized.
The rift over the Iraq war, once thought temporary, has returned as a structural divide that may prove irreparable. As the US supports far-right parties across Europe, European leaders are forced to confront their own vulnerability. Rather than engaging in quixotic attempts at balance-beam diplomacy or strategic patience, they must acknowledge the reality of American hostility and reassert their own autonomy.
Changing the narrative requires a more decisive approach. Instead of cowering before US aggression, European leaders should articulate a clear vision for their future, one that prioritizes inclusive politics and cosmopolitan values. Proposing initiatives like concerted funding for Europe-wide public media or expanding life-changing schemes such as the Erasmus student exchange program can help foster a shared sense of purpose among citizens.
For Hurst, the question is not whether to submit or resist but how to overcome the politics of resentment with a politics of belonging. By behaving autonomously and meeting US hostility with rhetorical confrontation, Europeans can assert their leaders' resolve to defend their values and institutions. As Hurst eloquently puts it, renouncing one's citizenship would mean renouncing people, places, and stories that matter; he will not do so.
The Exclusive Citizenship Act stands as a stark reminder of the consequences of appeasement and inaction. European nations must choose between cowering or rising to meet this challenge. The fate of their autonomy hangs precariously in the balance, awaiting a decisive response from those who would defend the rule of law and inclusive politics against an America that seeks to dismantle its own values and undermine its allies.
The Exclusive Citizenship Act, championed by Ohio Republican Senator Bernie Moreno, poses an existential threat to the United States' transatlantic relationships. By stripping American citizens of their citizenship for taking on a foreign nationality, the bill seeks to enforce a zero-sum game where one side's gain is another's loss. For author Alexander Hurst, this draconian measure is merely a symptom of a broader trend: an America determined to dismantle its historic alliances and supplant them with far-right, neo-fascist partners hostile to European integration.
US policy now openly advocates for the erosion of Europe's democratic institutions and the marginalization of progressive politics. This stance is nothing short of hostility, eerily reminiscent of Russia's ill-fated attempts to fracture British society through Brexit and the US by fueling disinformation and promoting divisive rhetoric. In response, European nations have cowered, capitulated, or acquiesced to the White House's punitive measures, ignoring the increasingly obvious insults and aggression emanating from Washington.
The EU, with its commitment to cosmopolitanism and rule of law, stands as a bulwark against this growing menace. As Jürgen Habermas and Jacques Derrida predicted two decades ago, Europe faces an existential crisis in defending its values against the forces of authoritarianism. The authors' call for a new European public sphere with a shared sense of purpose and future has yet to be realized.
The rift over the Iraq war, once thought temporary, has returned as a structural divide that may prove irreparable. As the US supports far-right parties across Europe, European leaders are forced to confront their own vulnerability. Rather than engaging in quixotic attempts at balance-beam diplomacy or strategic patience, they must acknowledge the reality of American hostility and reassert their own autonomy.
Changing the narrative requires a more decisive approach. Instead of cowering before US aggression, European leaders should articulate a clear vision for their future, one that prioritizes inclusive politics and cosmopolitan values. Proposing initiatives like concerted funding for Europe-wide public media or expanding life-changing schemes such as the Erasmus student exchange program can help foster a shared sense of purpose among citizens.
For Hurst, the question is not whether to submit or resist but how to overcome the politics of resentment with a politics of belonging. By behaving autonomously and meeting US hostility with rhetorical confrontation, Europeans can assert their leaders' resolve to defend their values and institutions. As Hurst eloquently puts it, renouncing one's citizenship would mean renouncing people, places, and stories that matter; he will not do so.
The Exclusive Citizenship Act stands as a stark reminder of the consequences of appeasement and inaction. European nations must choose between cowering or rising to meet this challenge. The fate of their autonomy hangs precariously in the balance, awaiting a decisive response from those who would defend the rule of law and inclusive politics against an America that seeks to dismantle its own values and undermine its allies.
... I mean, isn't stripping American citizens of their citizenship for taking a foreign nationality kinda extreme? Like, if someone wants to become a citizen of another country, shouldn't they have the right to do so without losing their US citizenship too? 
. But then again, won't that just create more conflict and division? 
. In which case, I'd say European leaders need to get on board with the US's security strategy ASAP 
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i cant even imagine a world where europeans would have to choose between losing their citizenship or renouncing ppl & places they love 
it's like america is trying to rewrite history & erase its own values 
we need more leaders like alexander hurst who are speaking truth to power & standing up for democracy 
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. But no, instead we get all bent out of shape about Americans taking on foreign passports. Can't we just chill? 
I'm so worried about what's going on with Europe and the US right now 
it feels like they're trying to turn their backs on each other 
) and remind America that they won't be bullied or threatened into backing down 
. Initiatives like public media funding and student exchange programs can go a long way in fostering a sense of belonging 
. I think Bernie Moreno's idea isn't all bad tho 
he wants to prevent people from taking foreign citizenship, which can be a security risk, but the way it's being implemented is really harsh 
. Like, can't they see that their attempts at "asserting" their values are just gonna lead to more division and resentment? 
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. Initiatives like funding public media or expanding student exchange programs could go a long way in fostering a sense of community and shared purpose among citizens 
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. Meanwhile, Europeans are just standing there, frozen in fear, waiting for someone to tell them what to do.
, and we can't just sit around waiting for things to happen - we gotta make them happen ourselves 
I just read about this insane bill in US congress and I'm like what is going on over there?! 
he's just trying to stir up drama & cause problems for the EU again 
and yeah I'm super worried about the impact this bill could have on European autonomy 
. The EU's GDP is already ~18% higher than the US' 
. How will we know which countries are being targeted by this bill? Can we expect a comprehensive list or just some kinda vague threshold? 
It's a whopping 1.3% of GDP! Now that's what I call a shared sense of purpose 
. Why can't we prioritize initiatives like public media or student exchange programs over some draconian bill 
. Meanwhile, US hostility is pushing Europe towards authoritarianism 
. This isn't about appeasement; it's about defense 
️. We need more initiatives like funding public media or expanding exchange programs so people can connect with each other 
. If they don't, they'll lose their autonomy and it'll be super hard to get back 
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. This Exclusive Citizenship Act is just the tip of the iceberg - if implemented, it'll be a slippery slope towards erosion of democratic institutions and the marginalization of progressive politics in Europe 
. We need leaders who'll stand up for their values and institutions, rather than trying to appease the US at all costs 
. We can't afford to be passive in the face of this kind of aggression - we need to take a stand and assert our own values, even if it means confronting US hostility head-on 
he thinks it's all about makin america great again but really its just about gettin rid of european alliances 
anywaz eu gotta stand up 4 themselves & not let usa bully them around 
think it's time 4 them 2 start makin there own media & programez 2 promote inclusive politics & values 
they should focus on building their own communities and promoting inclusive politics, not just trying to appease everyone else