The Idea of Europe

Chapter 2

Idea of Europe II

• Aspects of Europe– More Europe, less nation state, more microregion– Never fully united, not even in Roman times

Idea of Europe III

History• Roman empire

– Common language, administration and religion• 732, one of the first mentions of “European”• 15th century: Europe = Christendom• Renaissance (e.g. Newton) 1648 Peace of

Westphalia nation state• 1848 Victor Hugo USA & USE• 1945 Unity through outside pressure?

Idea of Europe IV

• Europe is not homogeneous• Europe has 24 official languages (24*23= 552),

but French ↓ & English ↑• Strong ties with other parts from the globe• Europe does not have an easy Eastern

boundary Turkey (non-)European?

Idea of Europe V

• Europeanism = common identity of Europe• Does it exist?

• Common values (e.g. no capital punishment, immigration, int.relations, env.protection, relationship between Church and state)

Idea of Europe VI

Table 2.2 (p.45)1. Political values2. Economic values3. Social values4. International relations

Assignment: individually or as a group of two, make clear how European you are (agree or disagree with the European values in table 2.2) & motivate this for three of the values in table 2.2