Europe: Vanishing Mediator

Being invited by the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin to give this year’s first public George L. Mosse Lecture is one of the greatest honors that I have received. It is also for me a moving opportunity to return to Berlin and meet dear friends and excellent colleagues. Finally, it gives me the possibility to present before you some hypotheses on the function that European intellectuals can perform and the ideas that they should advocate in the current international situation, where the very project of a European community of nations and citizens is challenged. For all these generous gifts I want to thank you very sincerely.