A European Cultural Identity - Myth, Reality or Aspiration?

Abstract

1992 was supposed to herald a positive turning point in the history of Europe. However, as one cmmentator succinctly remarked, at the end of 1992 the European Community had to worry about protecting yesterday's accomplishments rather than facing tomorrow's challenges.1 The collapse of the Soviet empire at the end of 1991 raised old and new European demons. These originated from the re-invigoration of the nation-state and of ethno-nationalism in Europe. The continent became embroiled in a sometimes deadly clash between two opposing forces: the logic of global socio-economic interdependence that spells integration and the logic of ethnicity and nationality that demands separation. It is not inevitable that the logic of unity and interdependence will prevail and there is a consequent danger of a return to a dangerously fragmented Europe with potentially devastating consequences.