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The Idea of Europe. Stephen Brill. Preliminary. Europe is both united and divided at the same time It’s hard to define Europe vs. European Since the Early Middle Ages Monarchs, popes, generals, and philosophers have attempted to implement cooperation between European provinces.
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The Idea of Europe Stephen Brill
Preliminary • Europe is both united and divided at the same time • It’s hard to define Europe vs. European • Since the Early Middle Ages Monarchs, popes, generals, and philosophers have attempted to implement cooperation between European provinces
Preliminary • To better understand Europe it’s important to understand Europe’s • History • Location • Political, Economic and Social “make-up” • As well as Europe’s Culture
Europe’s Changing Identity • The word Europe is thought to come from the Greek mythology: Europa • The peak of the Roman Empire (200 BC to 400 AD) helped spread the concept of Europe as a ‘single cultural complex’ • The birth of Europe is often dated to the Early Middle Ages (500-1050) • In the High Middle Ages (mid-eleventh century) commerce revived, leading to an increase in agricultural production and population growth • By the fifteenth century it became more common for scholars to use the term Europe to describe European territories
Europe’s Changing Identity • The Renaissance (roughly 1350-1550) let Europe to shift from the Church • By the end of the 16th century Europeans had shifted to individualism and republicanism • However, European unification had never been as strong as it had after World War II • Today what unites Europeans is more distinct than what divides them
Europeanism Key Features Welfarism Sustainable development Secularism Redefinition of the family Multilateralism Smart power Civilian power • Democracy • Parliamentary government • Constitutional patriotism • Cosmopolitanism • Multiculturalism • Communitarianism • Capitalism • Collective Society
Conclusions • Europe has a rich history • The European mind-set after WWII has dramatically altered the idea of Europe • Europeans increasingly have more in common thanks to social and economic integration
BONUS: Fun Facts! • The EU covers ¾ of the land area of Europe and accounts for 93% of economic wealth • More than 50% of Europeans think of themselves as European • There is no such thing as a European people or race • Europe’s natives speak more than 40 different languages with 23 official languages