The Stars Of Europe

Byline: By John Rossant, with Bureau Reports

Let's face it, the process of building Europe has always been something of a top-down affair. Politicians meet behind closed doors in places like Maastricht or Oporto. They emerge into daylight with joint statements about common agricultural policy or military cooperation--and the Continent moves a few more hesitant steps to the goal of "ever closer union" enshrined in the Treaty of Rome back in 1957. Not to begrudge the process: It has worked remarkably well. Witness the fact that a peaceful Europe of 380 million people is the world's richest economic zone. But exciting? Forget it.