Ø
normal'>Can the national identity “develop into” a European one? Is a
“metamorphosis” a viable entity?
(Trying to expand the theory exploring a transmitted concept from a
national to a European identity. - Maybe there is no need to be
"transformed", but as national identity is a changeable social
concept needs to "add" a European element into its character).
The
collapse of the communist system in
and the emergence of a completely new geopolitical and social reality, which is
strikingly different from its forerunner, probably represented the most
important breakthrough in modern world history, by far exceeding the
limitations of their regional boundaries and the relatively brief period of
time (Kreutz, 1999).
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;
layout-grid-mode:line'>
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;
layout-grid-mode:line'>Nobody expected that the integration of the European
countries would transcend the original idea of an economic merger and extend to
include a single monetary unit thereby allowing other facets such as the
unification of national identities in order to create a single
is hotly debated in the literature as countries struggle to retain their own
cultural lineage and countries such as
and
wrestle in the cultural dominance of their own race. There is one possible
resolution of this issue; a gradual evolution of a European culture that is
founded on both the different nature of the nations comprising the EC and the
emerging culture that is responsive to the changing world and the changing
nature of
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;
layout-grid-mode:line'>
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;
layout-grid-mode:line'>Generally, for a country to gain entry in the European
Community, one needs to regulate and amend its standards in order to conform to
a hegemonic norm founded on the differing cultures and perspective of several
nation-states. The dilemma starts at the point where some European countries
fails or refuses to submit to this “higher power”. As in all other integration
and cooperation, the consensus of the members usually seeks the middle ground.
This is for two reasons: extremist ideas and propositions may alienate the
other member states that also have some strong stand and second, cooperation
entails an atmosphere of bargaining and compromise; it shies away from evoking
emotional and extremist ideals. This will also prevent to some extent the
dominance of a certain nation in the community.
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;
layout-grid-mode:line'>
Something
has happened between 1957 and 1992 to the meaning, implications and
applicability of the time-honoured concept of sovereignty; and in
European Community (EC) on the status of the nation-state (Zetterholm, 1994; pp
14). However, there are also counteracting tendencies. Some are connected with
the across-the-board resurgence of nationalism in
Others stern from reactions to EC integration as proposed in the 'federalist'
(Zetterholm, 1994; pp 14). It could be argued that, increasingly, political and
postmodernist scholarly pronouncements on the irrelevance or demise of
sovereignty are being offset by practical popular pronouncements to the
contrary -- though 'sovereignty' is often not the actual term used.
There
are thus many different positions regarding culture as a factor influencing
political and economic integration in
and different opinions as to the degree of cultural diversity and the importance
of that cultural diversity for the integration processes (Zetterholm, 1994; pp
14; pp 15). In many of the most influential integration theories, concerning
both economic and political integration, the focus is upon how institutional
and policy changes lead to changes in the actions and interactions of the
actors in the system (Zetterholm, 1994; pp 15). Within mainstream economic
theory the basic assumption is that rational actors will adapt to new
situations in order to maximize their utility and exploit the new
possibilities.
In
many of the most influential integration theories, concerning both economic and
political integration, the focus is upon how institutional and policy changes
lead to changes in the actions and interactions of the actors in the system
(Zetterholm, 1994; pp 15). Within mainstream economic theory the basic
assumption is that rational actors will adapt to new situations in order to
maximize their utility and exploit the new possibilities. One way to make the
latter approach credible is to emphasize cultural variety against the
background of a common cultural base, a common European civilisation. In a way
one could say that the whole EC integration project's implicit starting point
is that cultural diversity does not necessarily lead to such cleavages between
the nations as to block further integration, and that the lower levels of
functional cooperation pave the way for more comprehensive common policies and
institutions by changing the mental readiness to transgress national borders
and national concepts There are thus many different positions regarding culture
as a factor influencing political and economic integration in Europe, and
different opinions as to the degree of cultural diversity and the importance of
that cultural diversity for the integration processes (Zetterholm, 1994; pp 14;
pp 15).
The
people –for instance- in East and Central Europe must have a perplexed notion,
as they cognise that they belong culturally and historically to
Ash described it successfully: “Poles,
Czechs and Hungarians had kept insisting: but
is larger than that! We may be poor cousins, but we still belong to the
family!” title="">
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-fareast-language:
EN-GB;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA'>[1]
Thus, the issue of who will be included and who should be excluded is still
vague. Further, it should be mentioned
that the South-East-Central Europe –for many reasons that vary from the
historical to economical point of view had an absent from the situation of
progress and of course, the rest of
couldn’t wait.
Many
observers interested in the dynamics and the future of the European Community
single out one aspect of Western Europe, namely its cultural diversity, as
sufficient reason for a pessimistic assessment of the future of EC integration.
The differences in mentality, traditions, ways of life and social institutions
between the Western European countries are so large that higher levels of
integration 'creating an ever closer Union among the peoples of Europe' seem
unlikely There are thus many different positions regarding culture as a factor
influencing political and economic integration in Europe, and different
opinions as to the degree of cultural diversity and the importance of that
cultural diversity for the integration processes (Zetterholm, 1994; pp 14; pp
15).
A
European identity already exists; although, it has to be formed more
accurately. The reason is the confusion that becomes visible among Europeans
about their common future in relation with the Europeanisation and furthermore
the globalisation. It is arguable that the analysis of the construction of a
national identity would be comparable with the European one. In the same way
that each European nation tried to establish their own identity, maybe the
European identity could be established, without -at the same time- the national
identities to be demolished. The integrity, in the case of the European
identity, is that it could not be shaped by one culture but by the diversity of
the European panel. European identity has to take into consideration the fact
that
and a diversity of national and regional minorities.
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'>
An
identity consists of 1) memory (e.g. on war, formation of nations, on national
cultures, historical experiences, political culture), 2) heritages (monuments,
memorials etc), 3) institution (common institutions, for the benefit of the
citizens) and 4) a sense of common future. It could be supported that identity
and with it diversity, is manifested on various levels, such a local, a
national level and an international-European level. As a result, the
coexistence of national cultures leads up to perceive European culture as a
multicultural one.
In
the new world order of super-national entities like the European Union,
national identity and national history appears as just one of many choices, not
the prime choice, possible to explain the past.
Schuman, one of the
founding fathers of the European Community of Coal and Steel, in 1963 wrote:
economy entity,
community in the highest sense of the word” (in Myths + Nationhood,
Hosking-Schopflin, p. 60). Naturally, this asseveration is contradicted by the
patent reality of political and cultural differences across the continent. On
the other hand, it is not an utopian conception. Furthermore, as the national
identity is concerned it is arguable that it exists in East and West equally,
yet the interpretation is quite different.
Central
and East European countries hope to be fully integrated soon in the European
community, the European Union, and they are right to expect integration in the
near future because of their common history and culture (Peck, 1996). In view
of recent political developments, there is no time to lose. In some countries,
the old political powers are again gaining influence (Peck, 1996).
An
attempt to “identify” the identity within culture would come to the result that
“the former is a matter of knowledge and
the later is the specific content of such knowledge”. (The Politics of
Culture. Frank Pfetsch,
europa.eu.int/comm/dg10/university/gov/das/PFETSCHtexte2). Culture is socially
constructed thereby implicating that nationalism is grounded on how the people
have moulded themselves and their heritage. As such, the European Community
also evolved on this premise. Thus, identity is also a social construct. This
implies that the gradual integration of
will eventually be instituted in the socialization process and thus, in the
consciousness of the Europeans.
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>The EC started
with small independent states that later merged. This implies that these small
states already have their own values, beliefs and behaviours they adhere to.
Thus, small counties are an essential component of
They became the building blocks and the foundation of a diverse community that
strives to integrate. This variety has also been beneficial in the evolution of
modern
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>Before 1989,
Europeans felt themselves to be part either of the West or of the East,
according to where they lived, but scarcely took the matter any further (
, p.1 roman kist, adviser to the
government). This association is deeply rooted in the different political orientation
between the East and the West. The social identification stems from the
contrasting situation between the East and the West at the time. However, they
have successfully eradicated to a large degree this identification.
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'>As it was mentioned before the
foundations of the national identities of every country is based on a number of
considerations including the historical and social experiences of these
countries. A common element in the search for a modern national identity is the
identification of each country with
Besides the problematic position and clarification of what do we mean by
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'>
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'>The expansion of a national
identity to encompass the culture of its member states, has to be found in a
combination of historical past, the experiences of the 20th century
particularly the search for economic growth, geographical position, ethnic
composition and cultural heritage. The individual identification for each
county with
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'>
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>For
instance, the Romanian national identity is closely associated with the feeling
of the country being a great European nation, not because Romanians necessarily
see their country as a future big member state of the
but rather because of the resolute identification of Romanian national identity
with European culture”. ( Survey of National Identity, Working paper 1998,
europa.eu.int/comm/cdp/working-paper/survey_of_national_identity.pdf. ). In
contrast, the Czech national identity is based on a feeling of a historical
belonging to mainstream European developments: “geographically it occupies a central position in Europe and
economically it used to be an integrated and dynamic part of
National identity under the Klaus-regime was deliberately constructed on a
perception that the
advanced the other CEECs in terms of macro-economic performance and political
stability (Survey of National Identity, Working paper 1998,
europa.eu.int/comm/cdp/working-paper/survey_of_national_identity.pdf.-
Dasckalov, Building up).
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'>
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'>The Hungarians share the
pathos of the Poles that joining the EU is synonymous with regaining the
country’s (historically) rightful position in
“The general atmosphere in
does not indicate any deep-rooted opposition to European integration, nor does
there seem to be any conflict between national identity and European
unification. Nevertheless, fears are sometimes expressed about the survival of
the Hungarian language and cultural specificity in view of the strong
harmonising drive of a homogeneous European “super-culture”. With time,
however, the Hungarian elite has become increasingly confident about the
country’s progress in terms of economic and democratic transition, and now
expects the EU to prepare itself in order to accommodate a number of new member
states ( Survey of National Identity, Working paper 1998,
europa.eu.int/comm/cdp/working-paper/survey_of_national_identity.pdf.-
Dasckalov, Building up).
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'>
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'>Poles consider themselves as
having always been part of mainstream
and having contributed to its development. In this sense, joining the EU is
seen as a confirma5tion of the European integration could undermine national
sovereignty (Survey of National Identity, Working paper 1998, europa.eu.int/comm/cdp/working-paper/survey_of_national_identity.pdf.-
Dasckalov, Building up).“Although, the
Yugoslav regime was not oppressive to the same degree as the Soviet regime,
there was a distinct feeling in
that escaping from
and Communism was synonymous with fleeing to the West. Since independence, as
national identity came to the forefront, a much higher value was attached to
close identification with
identification with the Balkans. The latter was linked to everything bad, while
the former was dressed only in positive attributes but there is also a fear
that European integration could erode national sovereignty and dilute Slovene
identity” (Survey of National Identity, Working paper 1998,
europa.eu.int/comm/cdp/working-paper/survey_of_national_identity.pdf.-
Dasckalov, Building up).
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'>
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'>Besides there is the vital
question that when it comes in countries like
European integration is premature. As there is a limited experience of national
independence consequently, there are some difficulties.
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'>
Of
course, there is the concern between these countries not to become second class
members of the EU confined to participation in peripheral areas and with
limited access to hard core decision-making. Maybe here is the important role
of the institutions. If there is a clear national consciousness then could come
to the level of “good Europeans” (Smith,
1991).
Given the current financial and
educational preoccupations of the member states, it would be easy to become
"Eurocentric" and preoccupied solely with strengthening and
consolidating the EU (Peck, 1996). While this is clearly important, the many
internal challenges currently facing the EU must not be allowed to overshadow
the continuing challenge of expansion and the development of ever-closer links
with the countries of
beyond.
Public opinion in
would seem to support such developments. The public opinion survey
Eurobarometer reported in autumn 1995 that the majority of citizens of the EU
(56%) thought that, within the next 15 years, an expansion to include other
European countries "such as Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, or
Slovakia" will have become a reality (Peck, 1996). Those questioned in the
Scandinavian countries were noticeably positive. In contrast, those who thought
that such enlargement would not be a reality by the year 2010 included many in
1996). In fact, there are currently nine countries in Central and Eastern
Europe (Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania,
Poland, Rumania, and Slovakia) that have already signed agreements with the EU
that are designed to lead to membership (Peck, 1996).
These recent developments indicates that
there is indeed a growing consensus on the part of the members and non-members
of the European Community to consciously adhere and compromise national
identities in favour of European culture. In addition, this paves the way for
European countries ready to evolve in lieu with the gains and the advantages
they can obtain from joining the European Community. While national identity is
the bulwark of these states, the reality that sooner or later boundaries will
be totally wiped and a global village will emerge is not a far-fetched idea.
With this compromise, the Europeanisation
process may be resting on stable grounds.
References:
Zetterholm,
S. 1994. National Cultures and European Integration: Exploratory Essays on
Cultural Diversity and Common Policies. Berg Publishers Ltd.
Kreutz,
A. 1999. Post-communist Eastern Europe and the
the burden of history and new political realities. Arab Studies Quarterly, Vol.
21.
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:7.0pt'>
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:7.0pt'>Peck, B. 1996. The European
Union faces east. Phi Delta Kappan, Vol. 78.
name="_ftn1" title="">
Ash,: Is Europe becoming Europe: Sanford
S. Elberg Lecture;
of
UC Berkeley. 2001,
No comments:
Post a Comment