The world as we know it is on its last legs, the old order is faltering. In these uncertain times it's tempting to lose faith in the future. But what if this is precisely the beginning of something new? F//ck the System, and other bad ideas for the future unravels the chaotic forces behind the geopolitical scenes and asks the fundamental question: can Europe grow into a strong player in the coming world order? What do we need to build a Europe that is sovereign, resilient and radically innovative?
SHORT
This is a manifesto to understand the present and reimagine the future – provocative, sharp and unorthodox. It breaks with old logic and old prejudices, and sees in today's disorder the seed of something better. For thinkers and doers, for citizens, entrepreneurs and policymakers who believe that Europe can be more than an old continent in crisis.
How do you summarize a book of nearly 300 pages in 600 words?How do you summarize a book of nearly 300 pages in 600 words? It brings to mind a quote from Donald Tusk, which I cite in the book, and which captures the essence of my entire argument: "why are 500 million Europeans asking 300 million Americans to help us fight 140 million Russians? It is time for Europe to take responsibility for ourselves."
In F//ck The System, and other bad ideas for the future, I take the reader on a search for new European self-confidence. We are in the middle of a world being redrawn at speed: America is losing its direction, China is building a technological empire, and populist forces are working everywhere to hollow out democracy and our liberal achievements. Is Europe in this world merely a helpless bystander, or are we capable of determining our own future? And who are the forces operating behind the scenes of all these abrupt changes?
In a first section, I describe how the old world order is falling apart before our eyes. I look for explanations as to why Europe seemingly cannot formulate an answer to the challenges we face. But is that actually true? Is Europe as weak as many believe, or do we have real assets we can play to secure our own position in the world of tomorrow? Can we stop complaining about our slowness or our divisions, and dare to think in terms of strategy, power and future? From a market union to a power union? It is clear that we should not become a copy of the US or China, and that we need to focus on a strong Europe of our own - with knowledge, technology, sustainability and democracy as strengths, not liabilities.
PREVIEW
In search of European
self-confidence
Innovation paradigm: breaking free from foreign dominance
The core of my argument is that in the years ahead we need to commit to a new innovation paradigm, to arrive at greater autonomy and sovereignty.
It starts with technology. We have arrived, abruptly, at the strategic realization that our data, infrastructure and production have been handed over entirely to foreign tech players. Whether it concerns microchips, communications, AI or (social) media - Europe needs to take back control.
We need to do this through what I call the copy-back strategy: we were once even leading in all these domains - and that was not so long ago. What is stopping us from shamelessly taking back, even copying, what we need? We reclaim our position by reinterpreting the best ideas from elsewhere, reverse-engineering them, improving them, and grafting them onto our own values. And what turns out to be true? Most people do not even know that this is actually Europe's strategy: the Digital Media Stack, our European chip industry, Galileo as an alternative satellite network, hundreds of billions in investments in data centers, battery technology, urban mining and of course: AI. These are all existing but barely known initiatives that contribute to our strategic autonomy.
To compete again with the US, China and other major powers, Europe must dare to reinvent its own economic and social model. Transition thinking is the way to get there. Regardless of what (populist) political leaders or companies might prefer, the world is going through a series of transitions regardless: energy, mobility, defence, housing, food and so on. Europe needs to let go of any ambition to compete in old industries like gas, oil or coal. We need to commit to transition economies - viewing energy, for example, not as a scarce product but as an innovatable technology with infinite autonomous growth potential.
What I argue for in my book is not naive idealism. It is a realistic call to action. We need to view the additional cost of these new investments as a return-on-security: this is not only about financial return, but equally about stability, security and European independence. Cheap risks becoming life-threatening the moment dependence on foreign technology can be used as a weapon. This requires strong policy, and within Europe we need to push for smoother collaboration and the removal of borders and barriers. The good news is that here too, Europe is moving more than many realize.
Betting on transition economies
A plea against destructive populism
The book ends with a clear message: F//ck The System and other bad ideas for the future is a plea against destructive populism. If we keep clinging to old structures, markets, rules and habits, we lose our future. But if we choose transition, collaboration, technology and a clear plan, Europe can become a world power again - in its own way, on its own terms.
The wake-up call we have been witnessing since early 2025 is creating a European momentum, offering Europe, its citizens and its businesses a unique opportunity. In these turbulent times, that may well be the most optimistic scenario imaginable: a Europe that dares to reinvent itself to become a credible player at the table of the new world order.