The European Identity: Historical and Cultural Realities We Cannot Deny (Haus Curiosities)

What--if anything--do the twenty-eight member states of the European Union have in common? Amidst all the variety, can one even speak of a European identity? In this timely book, Stephen Green explores these questions and argues for the necessity of the European voice in the international community. Green points out that Europeans can readily define the differences that separate them from others around the globe, but they have yet to clearly define their own similarities across member states. He argues that Europe has something distinctive and vitally important to offer: the experience of a unique journey through centuries of exploration and conflict, errors and lessons, soul-searching and rebuilding--an evolution of universal significance. Coming at a time when the divisions in European culture have been laid bare by recent financial crises and calls for independence, The European Identity identifies one of the biggest challenges for all of the member states of the European Union.

What—if anything—do the twenty-eight member states of the European Union have in common? Amidst all the variety, can one even speak of a European identity? In this timely book, Stephen Green explores these questions and argues for the necessity of the European voice in the international community.Green points out that Europeans can readily define the differences that separate them from others around the globe, but they have yet to clearly define their own similarities across member states. He argues that Europe has something distinctive and vitally important to offer: the experience of a unique journey through centuries of exploration and conflict, errors and lessons, soul-searching and rebuilding—an evolution of universal significance.Coming at a time when the divisions in European culture have been laid bare by recent financial crises and calls for independence, The European Identity identifies one of the biggest challenges for all of the member states of the European Union.

What does it mean to be European? The Europeans: caught in the headlights? Identity in variety? Enlightenment or enlightenments? The birth of a new European identity? The inevitable bonds of geography and history The United States of Europe? A fragile union of fragile identities? Layers of identity and loyalty Where next? Is There Any Such Thing As A European Identity? Amidst All The Kaleidoscopic Variety What - If Anything - Do 28 Members Of The European Union Have In Common? If The Eu Is To Succeed The Big States Of Europe Must Discover And Define That Common Identity.