Important Changes in European Societies that Influence Politics in Europe - Essay Example

What are the most important changes in European societies and what are their impacts on politics in Europe? By Institution Date Introduction The European Union is among the major economic powers in the current world. They are nearly the same with the United States in market size, GNP, and scientific potential but differ in terms of military might and political influence. European Union is considered as an example of cultural, political and economic modernization. National societies differ in cases of social and economic resources (Renard & Biscop, 2012, p.5). The European Union has continued to be the main source of technological innovations and scientific discoveries. From the mid 20th century a disastrous third year’s war was fought among the nations. The fight left exhausted losers and winners alike. Most changes in the societies have emerged among the member countries and have continued to impact on the politics of Europe. A new political union was then developed by the countries of Western Europe. Europe is made up of different societies. It is made up of regions with varying historical backgrounds. The nations making up Europe have different cultural backgrounds too. Various factors have led to division of Europe into autonomous entities, the economic factors, the religion factors and the political factors. The cultural unity that has put European nations together has not yet disappeared despite of the registered transformations. Occupational change The decline in industrial employment had been predicted since the 1950s. Politics during the creation of European Union was based on industrialism. The case existed in France and other west Europe countries, where the shift of employment from the rural agriculture to urban industries was taking place and the beginning of the services (Colin, 2008, p.30). Engagement in industrial work has contributed to modern politics in a number of ways. The presence of political organizations that were contemporary has led to the declining industrial politics in the European Union. The collapse of the socialist system has caused confusion in creation of the occupational interests (Renard & Biscop, 2012, p.30). Dictatorship in countries such as Portugal, Spain and Greece suppressed political organization. The collapse of dictatorship and the birth of democracy in such countries led to the application of a more occupation al based form like many countries in Western Europe. Immigration and cultural pluralism Europe especially the western side has experience increases in immigration cases. Most of the people come from the less developed part of the world especially North Africa due its close proximity to Europe. More people are also moving from central and Eastern Europe towards the western side of Europe. The type of migration are taking place at the time when Europe is experiencing high unemployment rate unlike the previous years where labor shortages was reported. The continued immigration dating back to many years have resulted to the 2nd and 3rd generation of descendants that are associated with the immigrants (Colin, 2008, p.19). Most of such descendants were born and raised in Europe. Intermarriage has taken place and new families have been created with the people in Europe. The cultural mixing has however resulted to severe episodes of bloodshed and intolerance. Many policies are now being developed to help regulate migration of people to most of the countries in the various part of Europe. The impact has resulted to creation of even more multicultural societies with the immigrants, post immigrant minority and the dominant majority trying to understand each other. The result has generated a series of political issues. The political scenes have been characterized by the formation of the anti immigrant parties. The conflict that results due to the new cultural factors has created tension among the majorities and the settlers. Western Europe has also experienced religion conflicts especially between the Protestants and the Catholics in the northern parts of Ireland and in Spain where the Spaniards and the Basques are still in conflicts. Decline in European religion Religion as an institution is declining in various parts of Europe. This was manifested by the reduced number of people attending services at various religious centres. Decline in God’s beliefs have also been witnessed in some part. It is unlike the United States where the church attendants, religious beliefs, religious organizations, and political power have shown improved growth (Martineli, 2008, p.198). Japan and Europe are the regions that have encountered decline in religion compared to the Islamic world, other area and the United States where religion keeps on rising. Despite the region registering low Church attendant rate, more people are confirmed and are willing to contribute and fund their churches. Some countries in Europe especially in Poland, Italy, and Ireland, church attendant was high until the previous decade. The Catholic Church in Poland undermined the regime which was socialist but its influence has continued to decline. Major Christian renaissance is expected various parts of Europe in future. Changes in the religious trend and influence have been linked to the fall of communism in various parts of the region (Colin, 2008, p.15). Politics of the country was being influence by the dominant churches but the trend continues to vary and decline due to the conflict that exist between the protestant churches that have continued to grow against the catholic that has declined in influence in various parts of Europe. Regionalism has been replaced by ethnic minorities and the continued immigration has resulted to emergence of new religion in Europe. Some of the religions that have found way into Europe include Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and some forms of Christianity experienced in Africa. The ethnic minority have been found to be more loyal to their religion than the native people. Changes in gender role The role of men and women has continued to change in the European society. Initially, male education was considered more superior than educating women. Gender is considered as one of the new cleavage in the current societies. It has been found out that more women are currently employed in the highly paying jobs. However, their earning is considered lower compared to the men’s salaries. The education system has allowed women to get equal educational chances than men (Hay & Menon, 2007, p.19). Challenges that women face, including child bearing has resulted to their low rungs in job hierarchies. The opportunities targeting women in the paid work force has also improved in the various part of Europe. Women have continued to make impact in Europe due to reduced childcare as more families are opting to have fewer children. Technological advancement especially in electrical appliance used in the kitchen has reduced the time women spend doing house work. Family members have also come in to help and therefore provided time for women to go and work. Most countries have encountered growth of employment targeting women both in the community and social sectors. The political policies have also favored female employment in many countries in Europe. In Poland however, the social policy by the Catholic Church has continued to influence the rate of women employment. Some policies that impair women employment have been reported. In the Western Europe for example, the conscious development of women with an enduring and significant feminist movements impacted on the policies and the political sector. Several social movements based on gender have emerged and so do pressure groups. Europe has however, registered political parties that are gender based. Political loyalty has not been influenced by gender (Hay & Menon, 2007, p.17). Women are believed to dominate employment in community and social services. More political parties have been associated with supporting these services by use of public funding hence influencing women to vote for them. Changes in economy State’s role appears to be more central in the European economy. The service sector in the European Union has been essential in developments. The labor market in the EU is more regulated and the unions are even stronger. The presences of the labor unions which are stronger are believed to have resulted to the reduced male and women in performance. The rate of self employment in the various countries has also been increased. The development of policies aimed at reducing the economic gap between the member countries has seen more and more countries joining the United Nations. The result has caused an increase in per capita GDP, average productivities and unemployment among the member states. The global competition among the various EU countries is believed to slow down political and social integration. The parties in the European Union are nominal and fragmented due to, electoral complexities, diversification of the various countries which are member states. Industrial revolution and the national building have caused the fragmentation. The various groups of interests in the EU are represented equally. Active business groups tend to exist because of the easier movements in the transnational movements. The business groups have more human and financial resources that help them create influence in various markets within the member countries. Political and economic elites have resulted to the integrations witnessed in the countries. The slow and complicated decision making process has resulted to successful pressure politics in the union (Renard & Biscop, 2012, p.20). The decision making process is also based on consensus that require organized interests to consult. The acts and policies created have increased intervention in areas such as development research and social policy. Dominant positions are still held by the businesses which are organized among the European Union members. Public interest groups have continued to influence the European Union decision making process (Martineli, 2008, p.165). The institutions such as the commission and the European justice court are believed to take their opinion into consideration. Their attention at the European Union is considered better than back in their nations. Unions are however believed to be more influential in the countries than the European Union. The EU has less control over the industrial regulations in the member countries. Conclusion Competition between various monarchies in Europe and religion conflicts that emerged between the catholic, the Protestants and the Jewish religion led to the creation of warfare which further resulted to the creation of treaties and borders that exist today. However, unity has continued to exist among the countries that make up the European Union. It is this unity that has encouraged more and more countries to join the union. Europe remains home to most of the industries in the world. Industrial revolution begun in Europe and has continued to gain momentum throughout the member states since the 18th century. Most changes have occurred in the country that has influenced the politics of the European Union. Changes in gender roles, technological advancement, economy and immigration with the decline in religion affiliation have impacted on the member countries either positively or negatively. European economies differ according to resources, size and history (Martineli, 2008, p.76). The size of the country doesn’t matter. However, the country that registers high economic growth is considered bigger despite their size. Most European countries have continued to experience unemployment rates due to increased population that has been associated with continuous immigration from the other parts of the world. References Colin. C. 2008. Change in European societies since 1970s, west European politics. Routledge 31: 1-2 , 14-39 Hay, C., & Menon, A.2007. European Union, politics and government, New York: Oxford university press.17- 76 Martineli, A. 2007. Transatlantic divide: comparing America and European society, oxford. Oxford university press .143-246 Renard, T., & Biscop, S. 2012. The European Union and emerging powers in the 21st century how Europe can shape a new global order. Burlington, VT: Ashgate. 3-78 Read More