Europe is in trouble. For an overview of the situation in France, see “For the French, Joie de Vivre Fades Into Fear.” France’s troubles come from it’s bloated welfare state. Although the country will face a demographic crunch when the baby boomers retire, France is actually doing reasonably well demographically.

Germany, on the other hand, seems to be the first European country experiencing real effects from a demographic deficit. See “Politicians Discuss Pension Cuts for Childless Germans” which says that new statistics on the country’s declining birthrate “have sent Germany into a state of panic.” This piece seems to confirm Philip Longman’s claim in The Empty Cradle that the emerging demographic crunch is going to build pressure for pro-natalist legislation.

If you’re willing to view an ad, you can read “The politics of shrinking” or the remarkable “Cradle Snatching,” over at the website of The Economist. The old East Germany is in demographic collapse, caught between the economic after-effects of communism and the shrinking German birthrate. People are deserting parts of what used to be East Germany: apartment buildings have huge vacancy rates, and in a few areas wild animals come back to reclaim territory that humans once commanded.

For the best overview of the trouble in Europe, I recommend Claire Berlinski’s wonderful new book, Menace in Europe: Why the Continent’s Crisis is America’s, Too. (I’ve got a blurb on the back of the book.) Berlinski’s book is a tremendous read: very smart, highly informed, and filled with riveting stories about real people. Berlinski is tough as can be on the problem of European Islamism, yet also speaks knowledgeably about European Muslims she’s known and loved. It’s rare to find this kind of clear-eyed criticism from an American who knows the continent deeply. For a glimpse into Europe’s frightening future (and America’s too?) do read Claire Berlinski’s Menace in Europe.

Oh, and for a sample of Berlinski’s writing, check out her piece on the French demonstrations from yesterday’s Washington Post. As good as Berlinski’s writing there is, her book is better.