“Could 1930s economics lead Europe to 1930s politics?” you ask gingerly, carefully avoiding the word “fascism,” which you reserve for the accompanying cartoon (“Extremist Nightmares,” March 7, 2009). You betcha. Although it is true that the very existence of the European Union makes such fears less ominous now than ever before, the Union is hardly a guarantee against fascism, as you imply. Especially on its fringes, the club could fall to pieces if the current recession turns into a full-blown depression, which could quickly lead to extremist nightmares of all sorts. True, Europe as a whole is not threatened by unfinished business left in the wake of the two world wars, but parts of the Union’s territory definitely are. The breakup of Yugoslavia is the case in point, which is why the Balkans, both Western and Eastern, deserve special attention by the Union and America. Much unfinished business there could turn into a nightmare easily enough.