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Notes for the Presentation of the Book “In Defence of Normalcy” at the Economic Forum in Karpacz

English Pages, 2. 9. 2025

1. I would like to thank the representatives of the Karpacz Economic Forum for organizing the presentation of this book of mine here. Most of my books are, of course, written in Czech. For this occasion, I chose to present my English collection of articles and speeches, which was published in Prague in the spring of 2025. These texts were written in English over the past three years. The included speeches were delivered at conferences in 10 European countries, from Portugal to Turkey, from Budapest to Vienna. 

2. One of those countries is Poland. The book includes the speech I gave here in Karpacz in September 2024, as well as one I delivered in Poznań last November. Both texts discussed the 20th anniversary of the entry of both the Czech Republic and Poland into the EU. As might be expected, I don’t hide my long-standing views on the current stage of the European integration process. I criticize the centralistic and bureaucratic tendencies in the EU, its irrational energy policy and its destructive migration policy which destroys European culture as well as the coherence, which means the feasibility of functioning, of European countries. 

3. I tried to find a title that would capture the essence of the book and unify the diverse texts. They cover differing topics – from “One Hundred Years of Modern Turkey” to “The Economic Challenges of Our Time”. I found the title “In Defence of Normalcy” in my recent speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Budapest. As I argue in the book, “our most significant enemy is hidden in the realm of ideas”. We should, therefore, strive to return to normalcy, to proven traditions and, last but not least, to reason. 

4. Let me also draw your attention to the original cover design of the book, created by my very good friend, the renowned Czech painter, sculptor, and intellectual Milan Knížák, who by this picture wanted to demonstrate the chaos of the contemporary world. 

5. The book touches on many other topics, including the Ukraine War, as well as the almost unimaginable tragedy in Gaza. I am deeply frustrated that the world failed to prevent the Ukraine war, a conflict that is in reality a war between the West and Russia, and not – as it is often wrongly interpreted – a war between Russia and Ukraine. 

Leading world politicians and powerful global organizations should never be forgiven for failing to exhaust all possible alternatives to this devastating armed conflict. I am convinced the politicians did not have sufficient will and interest to do so. I feel a similar sense of despair about the Gaza War. My arguments on these matters are presented in more detail in the book.  

Václav Klaus, Book presentation, 34th Karpacz Economic Forum, Karpacz, Poland, September 2, 2025