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

Where is Europe?

EuropeanismKey Features• Democracy• Parliamentary

government• Constitutional

patriotism• Cosmopolitanism• Multiculturalism• Communitarianism• Capitalism• Collective Society

• Welfarism• Sustainable

development• Secularism• Redefinition of the

family• Multilateralism• Smart power• Civilian power

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

Questions?