The concept of Europe as a cultural identity

2018

The intent of this Special Issue is to be a starting point for a broadly-defined European cultural psychology. Across seven research articles, the authors of this Special Issue explore what European culture(s) and European identity entail, how acculturation within the European cultural contexts takes place and under what conditions a multicultural Europe might be possible. The Special Issue also discusses what is currently missing from the research agenda. Therein, the findings of this Special Issue constitute an important starting point for future psychological research that accompanies Europe along its journey into the 21st century.

Journal of cross-cultural psychology, 2018

The intent of this Special Issue is to be a starting point for a broadly-defined European cultural psychology. Across seven research articles, the authors of this Special Issue explore what European culture(s) and European identity entail, how acculturation within the European cultural contexts takes place and under what conditions a multicultural Europe might be possible. The Special Issue also discusses what is currently missing from the research agenda. Therein, the findings of this Special Issue constitute an important starting point for future psychological research that accompanies Europe along its journey into the 21 century.

European Journal of Social Theory, 2002

The EU has recently introduced a cultural policy. This includes symbolic initiatives, among which is the creation of the 'European Cities of Culture' (ECC), that are a primary example of EU attempts at awakening European consciousness by promoting its symbols, while respecting the content of national cultures. This goes together with the realization that the idea of 'Europe' as the foundation of an identity is key for the legitimization of the EU. This article addresses the question of European cultural identity as it is appropriated and shaped by the EU in the process of becoming an 'imagined community'. It is grounded on a critical systematization of current ideas of Europe as a cultural identity and on a fieldwork analysis of the nine ECCs in 2000. The article argues that if we are to appreciate how Europe is imagined, it is important both to take EU symbolic initiatives seriously, and to try and grasp the specificity of these symbols and the peculiar conditions of their use.

2008

On the importance of the Idea of Europe and the arbitrariness of ‘cultural identities’ is the revised translation of an article from 2008, ‘On the importance of the Idea of Europe and the disadvantages of its reality’. Is there such a thing as a European culture? European (cultural) identity is not defined by the diversity and richness of customs, habits, and languages, nor by the intense 'encounter' of so many small differences on such a small continent. It is also not rooted in the shared meanings, common heritage—architecture, art, religion, knowledge—with which we might identify. Instead, it lies in the awareness and understanding, cultivated through a long and unique history, that all cultures are ultimately untrue and that no culture deserves special respect—neither mine nor that of others. This is not an existential truth and is difficult to live with, but rather a guiding principle. The understanding that my/our culture can be extraordinary and deeply important to me, while also being not special and somehow equal to all other cultures, so that I cannot derive any special rights from it, is the product of a long and complex history. Two significant moments in this development are (1) the invention of the 'game' of discussion and (2) a modern, enlightened understanding of ethical consciousness.

European journal of social theory, 2002

The EU has recently introduced a cultural policy. This includes symbolic initiatives, among which is the creation of the 'European Cities of Culture' (ECC), that are a primary example of EU attempts at awakening European consciousness by promoting its symbols, while respecting the content of national cultures. This goes together with the realization that the idea of 'Europe' as the foundation of an identity is key for the legitimization of the EU. This article addresses the question of European cultural identity as it is appropriated and shaped by the EU in the process of becoming an 'imagined community'. It is grounded on a critical systematization of current ideas of Europe as a cultural identity and on a fieldwork analysis of the nine ECCs in 2000. The article argues that if we are to appreciate how Europe is imagined, it is important both to take EU symbolic initiatives seriously, and to try and grasp the specificity of these symbols and the peculiar conditions of their use.

1997

1992 was supposed to herald a positive turning point in the history of Europe. However, as one commentator 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.

2011

2000

Innovation-the European Journal of Social Science Research, 2011

The purpose of this inquiry is to rethink the concept of European identity within the framework of the Declaration on European Identity and the Charter of European Identity. It will be argued that those documents employ the modernist notion of a centered, rational, stable, autonomous and unified self. However, this idea of the self leads to exclusion and essentialism. In this way, European identity cannot embrace the multiculturalism of European societies. Thus, it should be replaced by a more flexible, dynamic and shifting concept of identity.