THE EU IDENTITY CRISIS: EU Integration will test patience of EU leadership for a long time.
Dr. Tanvir Orakzai
June 07, 2006
The problem in European identity is EU identity vs national identity. Supporters of EU integration mention shared history and culture which dates back to Charlemagne, Napoleon and Hitler. There are others who mention that the common European literature and great writers, such as Shakespeare and Dante, who provide a collective vision and similar aspirations. However Shakespeare is more widely read in Australia, US and India than in Europe. Majority of the Europeans cannot speak or read English. If we ask any Italian about Shakespeare, he would perhaps shake his head and reply that Shakespeare is an Italian brand. As far as Napoleon or Hitler are concerned, Napoleon may be considered a great figure in France, but in neighboring states he is considered more of usurper rather than a great ruler. While mentioning the name of Hitler is more than enough to create the anti-semitism issue rather than think of unity. European countries make a melting pot of diverse cultures that at times look similar, but not shared well enough to form a homogenous cultural environment.
Another growing concern is the rising number of immigrants and growing number of minorities in the heart of Europe. European (white) population is suffering from negative birth rate, while immigrants have no problem in adding up the numbers. Some still remember the old rivalries and feuds, which happened centuries ago, yet seems fresh in the memories, leaving perhaps only the skin of European people as a common cultural asset among them. Even that is not true for two reasons, all Europeans are not while, if we look at the people of Southern European, such as Italy, Greece and Spain, they differ in skin and habits from the rest of Europe. Even mainland Europeans differ a lot; even in skin and habits from Russians. It is not the matter of skin alone; Russia federation at the peak of its glory was still ruled by Russian ideology not by skin, yet it failed to survive. Even though Russian communist government imposed strict rules for 70 years to develop a common culture, but after the breakup of communism, the old religion, culture and traditions are flourishing; while the former states such as Ukraine, Turkmenistan and other states have their distinct culture and traditions. Any ideology merely based on skin or enforced externally will not work; the failure of Soviet Russia is one prime example.
If we observe the British politics towards European integration, it is unique. The English people are more traditionalists and conservative compared to other EU nations. One such example is the continued monarchy of English, even though monarchy is powerless, yet British feel good to see their queen and princesses, perhaps it reminds them of a glorious time. Perhaps the English conservatism prohibits them to fully integrate and take over a European identity; the over all feeling in Britain is US vs THEM.
The idea of EU is unpopular because it coincides with the idea of capitalist union. The process of EU enlargement and integration started to develop economic ties and free trade across the border. For example the Swedish government is more welfare based; for them EU integration means giving up their healthcare and welfare system for the sake of EU identity, which is not good bargain. On the other hand Poles in recent referendum protested against the idea of integration on the idea that Germans and Jews will take over Polish business and would culturally invade Polish identity. Even though such ideas seem whimsical; but if people strongly believe in such thinking; there is no remedy for such way of thinking..
On the other side Western European nations, who fear the influx of immigrants from the Eastern Europe. They believe that expansion of Europe will open hordes of unwanted immigrants putting a toll at their economies. As a result there has been strict rules applied in recent times against immigrants without keeping any regard from human rights under 'Schengen Agreement. In recent years there have also rise in anti-immigrants feeling; while ironically Europe is suffering from negative population. Europe is short of workers and immigrants are filling up that gap, yet they are despised for jobs that European hate to do.
In the wake of EU identity crisis, the visionary and founders of EU, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg, all have dwindling birthrate, stagnant economies and high unemployment in decades with looming pension crisis. Despite the constant statements of EU unification and creating a shared identity on the basis of history culture, the whole integration process is based on national interests. The Eastern European countries are working hard to become part of the larger Europe not mere out of love to be called Europeans; the truth is that throughout their history they were able to establish any democratic institute. Eastern bloc basically remained Euro-federalist, where governments always repressed freedom and independence; for them this closer alliance is more of psychologist assurance to get rid of the painful past. The Eastern EU countries have experimented enough with socialist model for decades, but without any positive outcome. After becoming part of Europe, the dream of these countries is to have the generous economic assistance, which EU operates in its member countries. For example by using the EU structural fund, Ireland was made wealthy countries in a short period of 20 years.
Spain and Portugal have been excluded from the Western world during the 19th century; even in 20th century, they have been less than liked due to the presence of dictatorship. EU integration for them is an antidote to come out of isolation. Germany is less popular in the Western Europe as a result, Germany bought over the popularity through spending money. Spain, Portugal, Malta and Cyprus accepted Germany readily; but not without emptying Germany’s pocket.. The EU current budget is overstretched; 40 percent of its US$125 billion is offered under subsidies to Common Agricultural Policy to French and German truck farmers, who are not farmers by any standards, but as these subsidies form 60 percent of French income, the policy is continued. Many argue that French farmers income is based on long suffering of the rest of Europeans. The British have also been irritated by authoritarian EU pettifogging, regulating everything from grocery store displays of bananas to standardizing the condom. Adding fuel to the fire Blair’s imposition of European identity cards and direct access to tax and medical records issues also created resentment among all British people, which naturally will give rise to negative feeling about EU identity.
Forming a new identity is not an easy process; as national identity comes above every thing else. The formation of new identity requires re-categorization of EU citizen cognitive and motivational process and creation of shared beliefs and common identity. If this happens, it would remove this dilemma of lost identity razing down the belief of US Vs THEM. The creation of European identity needs to be moved beyond economic ties and have to be bonded between European people. Politics is not a straightforward process; opinions and political mood can swing with the passage of time. Thrusting a decision on the people for whom the whole system is created seems a paradox contradicting the EU founding philosophy. Just hours before the Turkey acceptance, there were doubts and suspicion, but in the end leaders reached a compromise and the process moved forward. One or two negative referendums do not end the process of EU integration. EU Integration will test patience of EU leadership for a long time.
Another growing concern is the rising number of immigrants and growing number of minorities in the heart of Europe. European (white) population is suffering from negative birth rate, while immigrants have no problem in adding up the numbers. Some still remember the old rivalries and feuds, which happened centuries ago, yet seems fresh in the memories, leaving perhaps only the skin of European people as a common cultural asset among them. Even that is not true for two reasons, all Europeans are not while, if we look at the people of Southern European, such as Italy, Greece and Spain, they differ in skin and habits from the rest of Europe. Even mainland Europeans differ a lot; even in skin and habits from Russians. It is not the matter of skin alone; Russia federation at the peak of its glory was still ruled by Russian ideology not by skin, yet it failed to survive. Even though Russian communist government imposed strict rules for 70 years to develop a common culture, but after the breakup of communism, the old religion, culture and traditions are flourishing; while the former states such as Ukraine, Turkmenistan and other states have their distinct culture and traditions. Any ideology merely based on skin or enforced externally will not work; the failure of Soviet Russia is one prime example.
If we observe the British politics towards European integration, it is unique. The English people are more traditionalists and conservative compared to other EU nations. One such example is the continued monarchy of English, even though monarchy is powerless, yet British feel good to see their queen and princesses, perhaps it reminds them of a glorious time. Perhaps the English conservatism prohibits them to fully integrate and take over a European identity; the over all feeling in Britain is US vs THEM.
The idea of EU is unpopular because it coincides with the idea of capitalist union. The process of EU enlargement and integration started to develop economic ties and free trade across the border. For example the Swedish government is more welfare based; for them EU integration means giving up their healthcare and welfare system for the sake of EU identity, which is not good bargain. On the other hand Poles in recent referendum protested against the idea of integration on the idea that Germans and Jews will take over Polish business and would culturally invade Polish identity. Even though such ideas seem whimsical; but if people strongly believe in such thinking; there is no remedy for such way of thinking..
On the other side Western European nations, who fear the influx of immigrants from the Eastern Europe. They believe that expansion of Europe will open hordes of unwanted immigrants putting a toll at their economies. As a result there has been strict rules applied in recent times against immigrants without keeping any regard from human rights under 'Schengen Agreement. In recent years there have also rise in anti-immigrants feeling; while ironically Europe is suffering from negative population. Europe is short of workers and immigrants are filling up that gap, yet they are despised for jobs that European hate to do.
In the wake of EU identity crisis, the visionary and founders of EU, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg, all have dwindling birthrate, stagnant economies and high unemployment in decades with looming pension crisis. Despite the constant statements of EU unification and creating a shared identity on the basis of history culture, the whole integration process is based on national interests. The Eastern European countries are working hard to become part of the larger Europe not mere out of love to be called Europeans; the truth is that throughout their history they were able to establish any democratic institute. Eastern bloc basically remained Euro-federalist, where governments always repressed freedom and independence; for them this closer alliance is more of psychologist assurance to get rid of the painful past. The Eastern EU countries have experimented enough with socialist model for decades, but without any positive outcome. After becoming part of Europe, the dream of these countries is to have the generous economic assistance, which EU operates in its member countries. For example by using the EU structural fund, Ireland was made wealthy countries in a short period of 20 years.
Spain and Portugal have been excluded from the Western world during the 19th century; even in 20th century, they have been less than liked due to the presence of dictatorship. EU integration for them is an antidote to come out of isolation. Germany is less popular in the Western Europe as a result, Germany bought over the popularity through spending money. Spain, Portugal, Malta and Cyprus accepted Germany readily; but not without emptying Germany’s pocket.. The EU current budget is overstretched; 40 percent of its US$125 billion is offered under subsidies to Common Agricultural Policy to French and German truck farmers, who are not farmers by any standards, but as these subsidies form 60 percent of French income, the policy is continued. Many argue that French farmers income is based on long suffering of the rest of Europeans. The British have also been irritated by authoritarian EU pettifogging, regulating everything from grocery store displays of bananas to standardizing the condom. Adding fuel to the fire Blair’s imposition of European identity cards and direct access to tax and medical records issues also created resentment among all British people, which naturally will give rise to negative feeling about EU identity.
Forming a new identity is not an easy process; as national identity comes above every thing else. The formation of new identity requires re-categorization of EU citizen cognitive and motivational process and creation of shared beliefs and common identity. If this happens, it would remove this dilemma of lost identity razing down the belief of US Vs THEM. The creation of European identity needs to be moved beyond economic ties and have to be bonded between European people. Politics is not a straightforward process; opinions and political mood can swing with the passage of time. Thrusting a decision on the people for whom the whole system is created seems a paradox contradicting the EU founding philosophy. Just hours before the Turkey acceptance, there were doubts and suspicion, but in the end leaders reached a compromise and the process moved forward. One or two negative referendums do not end the process of EU integration. EU Integration will test patience of EU leadership for a long time.