Reading Paper 9: “The Promotion of European Identity”

Allison Brown 4215: European Union Dr. Anderson 2 March, 2021 Reading Paper 9: “The Promotion of European Identity” Author: Chiara Valentini -- Is currently a senior researcher at the University of Bologna who previously obtained a PhD in "Constitutional Justice and Fundamental Rights" from The University of Pisa. In her bio for Bologna it states, “Her research interests lie in the theory of law and legal reasoning, the philosophical foundations of constitutionalism, fundamental rights”. Relevant to this article, she worked with the European Academy of Legal Theory. Published: This text is an excerpt of her full book, “Cultural Identity in an Intercultural Context” published by the (Finnish) University of Jyväskylä Press. The University’s publications and research are highly ranked in Europe and the global context. There is a suggestion that some funding comes from the European Research Council, but it is unclear if Valentini’s book received funding. Date: This article was published in January 2005. Domestically, on July 7 London fell victim to a terrorist attack killing 52 and wounding over 700 (UK’s worst since WWII), Tony Blair became the first Labor Party prime minister to win three successive terms, the EU abandons a plan to ratify the proposed European constitution (by 2006) after France and the Netherlands vote against it, and Angela Merkel wins her first election to become Germany’s first female chancellor. Globally, G8 pledged to double aid to Africa to $50 billion a year after 2010, cancel the debt of many impoverished countries, and open trade. It’s clear how the turmoil experienced in the EU and European elections relates to this article, an understanding of how the EU works lends to individuals across the continent’s willingness to engage with the EU and understand its importance for them personally and the region as a whole. Thesis: In short, a future in which Europeans believe and relate to a common European identity is essential for not only the EU but Europeans, a future in which Europeans have to accept a joint identity and believe it personally for integration to be truly successful. Different means of EU communication strategies and the European identity’s creation thus far are contributing to a joint-identity’s construction. Gist: Valenti examines how European identity has been created (through history, religion, territory, and politics) and the impacts these collective and independent identities have in the formation of a European identity as a whole. Telling Examples: 1) 7 Points of “Meaningful Citizenship” -- Education, culture, languages, symbols, publications, internet, and media. Valentini goes into depth on how each of these categories has been utilized by EU efforts and “propaganda” to convince European of the EU’s value and an integrated future. 2) Discussion of Religious Differences for European Identity -- Often, I would not think of religious differences being a core issue of European identity, I would consider language barriers and central media about the EU to be some of the largest roadblocks. However, Europe’s past with Christian, Jewish, and Islamic religions leads to some complications with integration. Valentini states “Many historians believe that Christianity can be considered the glue of Europe, the unifying factor” (8), which is undeniably true in history thus far. I find it interesting to consider how this “glue” is changing with pulls from centralized/state religions in some European states and the increase in Muslim refugees, how (if) will this impact European integration? Criticism: I enjoyed this reading as an in-depth answer to our widely discussed (yet to be defined) topic of European identity, and its construction through history, religion, territory, and politics. European identity is not a simple topic, Allison Brown 4215: European Union Dr. Anderson 2 March, 2021 but Valentini was able to present the content in a well organized way that lended to an understanding of how European identity isn’t only defined by their shared history and how important European identity is for the future of integration. Which plays into our course content the past few week’s with how the EU’s popularity plays a role in what it is able to accomplish with public support.