The referendum that decided the exit of the United Kingdom from the EU has been a political and economic earthquake on a global scale. The cost in economic terms for the United Kingdom and for the rest of its EU partners is incalculable. At the moment, the destination and route of the journey that British citizens will undertake without the EU is unknown: the Prime Minister, David Cameron, has already announced that he is leaving his position, the supporters of Brexit, who have focused their speech on discrediting the European institutions, have not told the citizens how the exit from the EU will be negotiated with Brussels, and their leaders, Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage, lack, in the opinion of many citizens, the leadership or the credit essential to guide a country at a critical moment such as the one that lies ahead. Thus, one of Europe's oldest democratic societies has taken a leap into the unknown.

What has caused British voters to decide to leave? The apparent reasons are plain to see. The pro-remain campaign has made a defeatist speech : it was said that leaving the EU would be a political and economic catastrophe that would set the country back several decades, which could not afford it. They were not without reason, but this has not intimidated the Brexit voter, who in all likelihood had decided his vote some years ago. The real reasons for the Brexit victory are deep and ramified. First and foremost is the discrediting of the political and economic class . A speech based on fear of the opposing option does not appeal to many voters. "If the consequences of leaving are so bad," some would think, "why has this referendum been called?". In addition, the British instinct to protect its own sovereignty, wariness of European autocracy, immigration and the uneven consequences of the crisis have all played a role.

Although many Britons have harshly criticized their country's decision, others have celebrated without fanfare this result.The United Kingdom is deeply divided internally and the close result (52% vs. 48%) makes this clear. On the one hand, the less industrialized and more rural part of the country has taken its revenge on the City of London, i.e. the financial heartland of England, which has grown in power as its profits increased during the years of crisis. Many citizens have reacted against the establishment, of which the City is an important part, as much or more than the political parties, which, except for the populist UKIP, have mostly supported remaining in the EU. Many have also rebelled against them. And as in other parts of Europe and also in Spain, populism has made significant inroads. Finally, Scotland and Northern Ireland have voted against England and in favor of the EU.

Without knowing these divisions, it is difficult to understand how a mature democracy like the United Kingdom has inflicted such a wound on itself. From all this, however, it is worth drawing two consequences. The first is that globalization and its promises of universal welfare have not worked for many, who view it hostilely. The second is that the EU has so far failed to win the will and hearts of its citizens. It seems clear that it is deeply in need of reform so that people can see its meaning. The euro, the Schengen zone and free trade throughout the European area have created enormous wealth, yes, but politics is not just the art of managing and creating wealth. You have to know how to win the will of the people and you have to show that you are at their service.