Why Is A European Identity Problematic - Coursework Example

Why is a European identity problematic? Introduction In the present day the European Union is facing the most severe debt crisis that is threateningthe existence of the European Union itself. The European Union is currently undergoing a major crisis which is not simply a nominal matter that is to be left to the financers but the crisis is more of a crisis over the identity of the country. The credit crisis that the EU faces is a question of the obligation and responsibility that different countries of the union have for each other. The problem that exists with t5he identity is not a problem that is simply faced at the European level but is being faced by every country that is part of the union. After the Second World War took place the different countries in the Europe never thought that they have to face the question of national identity. However after the war was over there was a period of increased immigrations in between the countries that led to the increase of cultural diversity and this has led to the fact that the countries are having to face this question. The following essay tries to deal with the question of why the European identity is problematic. The question is tackled through the points of common European Heritage, National identity and European Union. Discussion Common European Heritage When the question of identity is brought up in the present day scenario and the language of the present day the fact that is immediately noticed is that the use of the word is connected to stability. Identity is referred to a thing that is not superficial but is something whose effective characteristics are preserved through the passage of time1. Identity as it seems in its usage in the last twenty years is connected to two other words also. These are to say memory and heritage. What this means is that the term and the meaning of the concept of identity has a strong connection with the past. In fact there is a connection of the identity with the past and this is evident from the fact that the use of the word is synonymous to the something that we receive from our ancestors2. The following paragraph describes the components that make up the identity of Europe on in other words define what is means by being Europeans. Some of the features that definitely make the Europeans from the neighbours are those that can be seen or felt by the senses. These are the things that can be said to contribute to the common heritage of Europe and distinguishes it from other countries in the world. The first noticeable feature is of course the presence of crosses. The cross is a symbol that is present everywhere starting from the top of the buildings, cemeteries, at road sides etc. The second important noticeable feature is the architecture of the buildings3. If one leaves aside the international architectural style that came to be widely used since 1930s the most common architectural style that has been used in the buildings is the neo-classical style. The third unique feature that is common to the Europe is the style of writing. The alphabets that are used are clearly different from that which is used in the Chinese or Arabian scriptures. There are three major styles of writing that are used but all of them belong to the same family4. The fourth aspect that is unique to the region is the density of the images both in the public place and in the houses of the people. Another noticeable feature of these images is the fact that most of these are representation of human figures5. Some of the images represent the naked male body and some the naked female body. The fifth aspect is the presence of bell and the ringing of the same. Another important aspect is the fact that there is a large presence of Greek roman and other medieval remains in the form of ruins or in the museums6. It is important to note that some of the features that have been described above may also be present in other countries. However the coexistence of these aspects creates an aural and visual landscape that is particular to Europe and outside Europe only in those places that are inhabited by Europeans7. These features that have been listed in the above paragraph together constitute what can be called as the common heritage of Europe and contributes towards building a common identity8. If we thus look at the question of common European identity from the view point of common European heritage then one can easily say that the question of a common European identity is a valid one. National identity and European Union The phenomenon that is referred to as the nationalism or the people starting to question as to who am I is a recent phenomenon. In the agrarian economy that existed in earlier times people used to be bound by the social class, religion etc. However there was a change in theses with the beginning of industrialization9. With the rise of the industrial society the older definitions and relationships that used to hold people together dissolved and the society needed new relationships which would be useful in holding it together. This new relationship was provided in turn by the language and culture. For example France as a nation was created through dedicated efforts that were applied over the course of several centuries. The Capuchin Dynasty at first created a small country around the Isle de France. Slowly more and more territories were included. People spoke different languages and followed different customs10. The country was finally created by the force of huge political effort that led to the formation of a hexagonal country where people followed the same culture and spoke the same language. This is the hexagonal country that is referred to as France. The twentieth century was a time that saw an excess of nationalism by the people of different countries and this is perhaps the fact that led to the two world wars. After the two world wars had taken place in Europe it was felt that that glorious European civilization will be put to an end unless Europe as a whole moved towards a period of post national identity. The destructive impact of over nationalism is a problem that has been faced by Europe in the form of two world wars. The destructive effect of national identity lies in the assertion of national identity of a particular nation and the dominion of one nation over another. However it is to be noted that national identity is important as a nation building exercise. In the absence of national identity the government lacks purpose of formulating the policies and indulge in nation building exercise11. This is the problem that is faced by the government of most of the underdeveloped countries. If we move on the point of European identity the problem that is associated with the concept of European identity is related to the face that the whole project of European identity is founded on a concept that is anti-nationalist identity. When the concept of European identity was first begun it was actually intended that it will help in going beyond the selfishness that was characteristics of Europe in the twentieth century12. At the start of the project there was a belief that there would be a new identity that will be termed as European identity. This new European identity will result in the replacement of the national identity13. However will the passage of time it was found that the national identities never disappeared. As time went by people never forgot their actual identity. That is to say people never forgot that they were German, Spanish French etc. The ghost of the national identity is the fact that has always remained and has proved to be a major hindrance to the European Union. Conclusion The essay in the above pages analyses the problems that exist with the European identity. The problem with European identity is analysed from the point of common European heritage and the national identity and the concept of European Union. Analysing the concept of European identity it is found that from the point of view of common European heritage Europe has a distinguished identity. It is this identity that distinguishes Europe and separates it from other countries and regions. However there is a basic problem towards the creation of a common European identity and this is in terms of conflict between the national identity and common European identity. The problem is that when the European identity was thought of as a concept it was though that it will replace the concept of national identity. However over the course of decades, it is found that national identity has remained as it is and this has led to the problems in the creation of a common European identity. References Ashworth, G. and Larkham, Peter. Building a new heritage. Routledge. London. 2013. Chalmers, D., Davies, G. and Monti, G. European union law: cases and materials. Cambridge University press, London. 2010. Favell, A. "Europes identity problem’, West European Politics, Vol. 28, issue 5, 2005, pp. 1109-1116. Fukuyama, F. ‘The challenges for European identity’, < http://theglobaljournal.net/article/view/469/ >, 2012. (accessed 16 June 2015). Innocenti, P. Migrating heritage: experiences of cultural networks and cultural dialogue in Europe. Ashgate Publishing. Farnham. 2014. Lampe, J. R. Ideologies and National Identities: The Case of Twentieth-century Southeastern Europe. Central European University Press. London. 2004. Llobera, J. R. Foundations of national identity: from Catalonia to Europe. Berghahn Books. London. 2005. McCormick, J. Understanding the European Union: a concise introduction. Palgrave Macmillan, London. 2014. Peckham, R. S. Rethinking Heritage: Cultures and Politics in Europe. I.B.Tauris, London. 2003. Pickard, R. European Cultural Heritage, Volume 1. Council of Europe, London. 2002. Pomian, K. ‘European identity: historical fact and political problem’, < http://www.eurozine.com/articles/2009-08-24-pomian-en.html >, 2009. (accessed 16 June 2015). Rumford, C. The SAGE Handbook of European Studies. SAGE, London. 2009. Tsivolas, T. And Doe, N. Law and religious cultural heritage in Europe. Springer. Athens. 2014. Read More