The Role of Culture in the The Role of Culture in the European IntegrationEuropean Integration

Enrique BanúsEnrique Banús

What Role for Culture in the What Role for Culture in the European Integration?European Integration?

1952-1993: No Role 1952-1993: No Role

(No Mention in the Treaties)(No Mention in the Treaties)

1993-Today: A Small Role1993-Today: A Small Role

See Art. 128 (151) ECTSee Art. 128 (151) ECT

““Zu fragen bin ich da, nicht Zu fragen bin ich da, nicht zu antworten”.zu antworten”.

(Max Frisch, (Max Frisch, Tagebücher*Tagebücher*))

* Quoting Hendrik Ibsen.* Quoting Hendrik Ibsen.

Culture is "that complex whole which includes Culture is "that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society”.acquired by man as a member of society”.

(Edward B. Tylor, (Edward B. Tylor, Primitive CulturePrimitive Culture,,

1871:1). 1871:1).

1.1. Market and CultureMarket and Culture2.2. Currency and CultureCurrency and Culture3.3. The Economic Relevance of CultureThe Economic Relevance of Culture4.4. The Social Relevance of CultureThe Social Relevance of Culture5.5. Cultural Diversity as a Pillar of European IntegrationCultural Diversity as a Pillar of European Integration6.6. The Question of the Common Cultural HeritageThe Question of the Common Cultural Heritage7.7. Culture and Shared Values Culture and Shared Values 8.8. The Role of Culture for the Identification with the The Role of Culture for the Identification with the

European Project (Culture and Identity)European Project (Culture and Identity)9.9. The Role of Culture in the External Relations:The Role of Culture in the External Relations: Intercultural DialogueIntercultural Dialogue Culture and DevelopmentCulture and Development Culture in the Euro-Mediterranean DialogueCulture in the Euro-Mediterranean Dialogue

1st Topic:1st Topic:

Market and CultureMarket and Culture

Market is CultureMarket is Culture (therefore, the European integration is a “cultural” (therefore, the European integration is a “cultural”

project)project)

because “Market” is promoting some values.because “Market” is promoting some values.

What values?What values?

““The idea that markets arise naturally and always work efficiently is a The idea that markets arise naturally and always work efficiently is a myth; markets are products of legal, political, and institutional work, myth; markets are products of legal, political, and institutional work, including property rules, contract enforcement, financial regulation, including property rules, contract enforcement, financial regulation, and of course the courts, police forces, and banks that put them into and of course the courts, police forces, and banks that put them into practice. The governance of markets must include “non-market practice. The governance of markets must include “non-market values” such as distributive justice, solidarity, and stability. When values” such as distributive justice, solidarity, and stability. When properly governed, free markets represent a great expansion of properly governed, free markets represent a great expansion of human freedom and well-being. Improperly governed, they can bring human freedom and well-being. Improperly governed, they can bring crises and forms of exploitation that undermine their legitimacy and crises and forms of exploitation that undermine their legitimacy and

inspire destructive rebellionsinspire destructive rebellions”” (Jedediah Purdy 2002)(Jedediah Purdy 2002)

What doesWhat does““Market”Market”

mean for the mean for the European Integration?European Integration?

What doesWhat does““Common Market”Common Market”

mean formean forCulture?Culture?

The concept of “product” includes also “cultural The concept of “product” includes also “cultural products”: see Council Regulation (EEC) No products”: see Council Regulation (EEC) No 3/84 of 19 December 1983 introducing 3/84 of 19 December 1983 introducing arrangements for movement within the arrangements for movement within the Community of goods sent from one Member Community of goods sent from one Member State for temporary use in one or more other State for temporary use in one or more other Member StatesMember States . Exhibitions for cultural . Exhibitions for cultural purposes are explicitly mentioned.purposes are explicitly mentioned.

The concept of “services” includes also The concept of “services” includes also “cultural and artistic activities” (see 3 Directives “cultural and artistic activities” (see 3 Directives on Cinema from the 60ies (Directives 63/707, on Cinema from the 60ies (Directives 63/707, 15th 15th Octobre 1963; 65/264, 13 Mai 1965; Octobre 1963; 65/264, 13 Mai 1965; 68/369, 15. 68/369, 15. October 1968).October 1968).

Sentences of the European Court of JusticeSentences of the European Court of Justice

van Wesemael (18.1.1979, 110/78)van Wesemael (18.1.1979, 110/78) VBVB und VBBB (17.1.1984; 43 and 63/82) VBVB und VBBB (17.1.1984; 43 and 63/82) Leclerc (10.1.1985, 229/83)Leclerc (10.1.1985, 229/83) Cinéthèque (11.7.1985; 60/84 and 61/84)Cinéthèque (11.7.1985; 60/84 and 61/84) Groener (28.11.1989; 379/87)Groener (28.11.1989; 379/87) Piageme I (18.6.1991, 369/89) Piageme I (18.6.1991, 369/89) Mediawet (25.7.1992; 353/89 und 288/89)Mediawet (25.7.1992; 353/89 und 288/89) Fedicine (4.5.1993; 17/92)Fedicine (4.5.1993; 17/92) Publishers Association (17.1.1995; 360/92 P)Publishers Association (17.1.1995; 360/92 P) SIDE (18.9.1995; T-49/93)SIDE (18.9.1995; T-49/93) Piageme II (12.10.1995, 85/94)Piageme II (12.10.1995, 85/94) Bosman (15.12.1995, 415/93)Bosman (15.12.1995, 415/93) Commission/Belgium (10.9.1996, 11/95)Commission/Belgium (10.9.1996, 11/95) Annibaldi (18.12.1997, 309/96)Annibaldi (18.12.1997, 309/96) Metronom (28.4.1998, 200/96)Metronom (28.4.1998, 200/96)

Market brings CultureMarket brings Culture Examples:Examples:

The Beginnings of the Non-Religious Theatre in the The Beginnings of the Non-Religious Theatre in the Middle AgesMiddle Ages

Corneille’s “Le Cid”Corneille’s “Le Cid” Böhl von Faber and the Re-discovery of the Spanish Böhl von Faber and the Re-discovery of the Spanish

Baroque Theatre in SpainBaroque Theatre in Spain

2nd Topic:2nd Topic:

Currency and CultureCurrency and Culture

““A currency is a national symbol”A currency is a national symbol”

““The new currency will make things easier - and will The new currency will make things easier - and will

even give a feeling of unity to some extend”even give a feeling of unity to some extend”

((Stephan Dahl , U Luton, UK)Stephan Dahl , U Luton, UK)

3rd Topic:3rd Topic:

The Economic Relevance of The Economic Relevance of CultureCulture

2-3% GDP2-3% GDP average household spending on average household spending on

recreation and culture as a percentage of recreation and culture as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP; 2005):gross domestic product (GDP; 2005):

UK: 7.9% (6.5% in 1991UK: 7.9% (6.5% in 1991))Czech Republic: 5.9%Czech Republic: 5.9%

France: 5.2% France: 5.2% Germany: 5%Germany: 5%Ireland: 2.8%Ireland: 2.8%

2.5% of total employment (2.5% of total employment (4.2 4.2 million peoplemillion people)*)*

(from 1.4% in (from 1.4% in PortugalPortugal and and Slovakia Slovakia toto

3.2% in the 3.2% in the United KingdomUnited Kingdom))

* EU-25 (2002)* EU-25 (2002)

4th Topic:4th Topic:

The Social Relevance of The Social Relevance of CultureCulture

““Although studies have shown that cultural Although studies have shown that cultural industries do only produce in between 2 and 4 industries do only produce in between 2 and 4 percent of the GNP in a country, the increasing percent of the GNP in a country, the increasing importance of culture for urban and regional importance of culture for urban and regional economic development, for the image of cities economic development, for the image of cities as well as for the political culture is widely as well as for the political culture is widely acknowledged” acknowledged”

(K.R. Kunzmann 1989)(K.R. Kunzmann 1989)

Revitalisation and Self-Image: Revitalisation and Self-Image: the “Guggenheim” the “Guggenheim”

Social Inclusion: the “Raval”Social Inclusion: the “Raval” Image of the City: “Cultural City”Image of the City: “Cultural City”

Social Cohesion: “Regional Social Cohesion: “Regional Days”Days”

Social Distinction?: “Baluarte”Social Distinction?: “Baluarte”

5th Topic:5th Topic:

Cultural Diversity as a Pillar Cultural Diversity as a Pillar of European Integrationof European Integration

The EC-Treaty’s art. 151 (I):The EC-Treaty’s art. 151 (I):1.   The Community shall contribute to the 1.   The Community shall contribute to the

flowering of the flowering of the culturescultures of the Member of the Member States, while respecting their national States, while respecting their national and regional and regional diversity.diversity.

4.   The Community shall take cultural 4.   The Community shall take cultural aspects into account in its action under aspects into account in its action under other provisions of this Treaty, in other provisions of this Treaty, in particular in order to respect and to particular in order to respect and to promote the promote the diversitydiversity of its cultures. of its cultures.

Why this high appreciation Why this high appreciation of diversity?of diversity?

See See Herder: “Shakespeare” 1773Herder: “Shakespeare” 1773

““Stimmen der Völker in Liedern” 1807Stimmen der Völker in Liedern” 1807

6th Topic:6th Topic:

The Question of the The Question of the Common Cultural HeritageCommon Cultural Heritage

The EC-Treaty’s art. 151 The EC-Treaty’s art. 151 (II):(II):

1.   The Community shall contribute to the 1.   The Community shall contribute to the flowering of the cultures of the Member flowering of the cultures of the Member States, while respecting their national States, while respecting their national and regional diversity and at the same and regional diversity and at the same time time bringing the common cultural bringing the common cultural heritage to the foreheritage to the fore..

What is “Common Cultural What is “Common Cultural HeritageHeritage” ? (I)” ? (I)

The ‘par excellence’ The ‘par excellence’

and and the ‘addition’ modelthe ‘addition’ model

What is “Common Cultural HeritageWhat is “Common Cultural Heritage” ? (II)” ? (II)

The Copenhagen Summit (1983) speaks The Copenhagen Summit (1983) speaks about “the diversity of cultures”, about “the diversity of cultures”,

although they are located “within the although they are located “within the framework of common European framework of common European

civilisation” civilisation”

What is “Common Cultural HeritageWhat is “Common Cultural Heritage” ? (III)” ? (III)

The European cultural identity is "the The European cultural identity is "the product of interaction between a product of interaction between a

civilization and a plurality of national, civilization and a plurality of national, regional and local cultures" regional and local cultures"

(Parliament’s Resolution of 20 January (Parliament’s Resolution of 20 January 19941994))

What is “Common Cultural HeritageWhat is “Common Cultural Heritage” ? (IV)” ? (IV)

The Committee of the Regions speaks about The Committee of the Regions speaks about “European culture, which is older than the “European culture, which is older than the division of our continent into nation-states” division of our continent into nation-states”

and adds that “It is Europe's cultural heritage and adds that “It is Europe's cultural heritage which makes us Europeans”which makes us Europeans”

(Opinion of the Committee of the Regions of 13 (Opinion of the Committee of the Regions of 13 March 1998).March 1998).

What is “Common Cultural HeritageWhat is “Common Cultural Heritage” ? (V)” ? (V)

‘‘la culture européenne est une réalité (...) faite la culture européenne est une réalité (...) faite de la somme de toutes les cultures de la somme de toutes les cultures

nationales, régionales et même locales et de nationales, régionales et même locales et de leur interaction’leur interaction’

(Comité des consultants culturels’, Report (Comité des consultants culturels’, Report

"Une culture pour le citoyen européen de l´an "Une culture pour le citoyen européen de l´an 2000", 1989).2000", 1989).

What is “Cultural HeritageWhat is “Cultural Heritage”? ”? (I)(I)

Material Heritage Material Heritage

and and Immaterial HeritageImmaterial Heritage

Heritage andHeritage and ““témoins symboliques” et “l’identité du témoins symboliques” et “l’identité du

site” (site” (Florence Eid)Florence Eid)

The New Concept of Heritage:The New Concept of Heritage:

““le petit patrimoine, fragile, les centres des le petit patrimoine, fragile, les centres des villes, le bâti rural même le plus villes, le bâti rural même le plus

modeste” (Paul Rasse 1999)modeste” (Paul Rasse 1999)

7th Topic:7th Topic:

Culture and Shared ValuesCulture and Shared Values

The Constitutional Treaty’s art. The Constitutional Treaty’s art. I-2:I-2:

The Union's values The Union's values The Union is founded on the values of respect The Union is founded on the values of respect

for human dignity, freedom, democracy, for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. These values are belonging to minorities. These values are common to the Member States in a society in common to the Member States in a society in which pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, which pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality between women justice, solidarity and equality between women and men prevail.and men prevail.

Is this enough?Is this enough?

Identification is needed:Identification is needed:

"the collective identity finds its expression in symbols" "the collective identity finds its expression in symbols" (WENTURIS 1998, 188)(WENTURIS 1998, 188)

it requires “iconic devices” it requires “iconic devices”

(PEREZ-SOLORZANO/LONGMAN 1998, 118)(PEREZ-SOLORZANO/LONGMAN 1998, 118)

““En la historia todo se explica con símbolos. La En la historia todo se explica con símbolos. La grandeza y la sumisión, la victoria y la derrota, la grandeza y la sumisión, la victoria y la derrota, la felicidad, la prosperidad, la miseria. Y, más que felicidad, la prosperidad, la miseria. Y, más que

ninguna otra cosa, la identidad” ninguna otra cosa, la identidad” (MAALOUF 1999, 82)(MAALOUF 1999, 82)

8th Topic:8th Topic:

The Role of Culture for the The Role of Culture for the Identification with the European Identification with the European Project (Culture and Identity)Project (Culture and Identity)

Reflections on “Cultural Reflections on “Cultural Identity”Identity”

““the tendency to return to one’s the tendency to return to one’s roots has become stronger” roots has become stronger” (Kovacev)(Kovacev)

““le retour à des valeurs identitaires” le retour à des valeurs identitaires” (Bartement/Bernier-Boissard)(Bartement/Bernier-Boissard)

The End of the Nation-State? The End of the Nation-State? The Emerging of New The Emerging of New

Identities? Identities? European Identity?European Identity?

Reflections on “European Reflections on “European Identity” (0)Identity” (0)

Brigitte Boyce points out that, in recent Brigitte Boyce points out that, in recent years "it has been argued variously that years "it has been argued variously that the construction of a common European the construction of a common European identity has become indispensable, if the identity has become indispensable, if the dynamics of economic and political dynamics of economic and political integration are to be sustained" integration are to be sustained"

(BOYCE 1998, 306).(BOYCE 1998, 306).

Reflections on “European Reflections on “European Identity” (I)Identity” (I)

The influential Tindemans Report establishes The influential Tindemans Report establishes relationships between European identity and relationships between European identity and progress in political integration when it states progress in political integration when it states

that Europe cannot proceed to a greater that Europe cannot proceed to a greater degree of political integration without the degree of political integration without the

underlying structure of a unifying European underlying structure of a unifying European identityidentity

see see Report on European Union (29 December Report on European Union (29 December

1975)1975)..

Reflections on “European Reflections on “European Identity” (II)Identity” (II)

A Commission´s document indicated in A Commission´s document indicated in 1987 that ‘el sentimiento de pertenecer 1987 that ‘el sentimiento de pertenecer

a una cultura europea’ is a prior a una cultura europea’ is a prior condition for the Internal Marketcondition for the Internal Market

Document COM(87)603, p. 5.Document COM(87)603, p. 5.

Reflections on “European Reflections on “European Identity” (III)Identity” (III)

““Only by strengthening "cultural Only by strengthening "cultural citizenship" will it be possible to citizenship" will it be possible to consolidate the Union and build external consolidate the Union and build external relations on a lasting basis”.relations on a lasting basis”.

The Committee of the Regions, 13 March 1998:The Committee of the Regions, 13 March 1998:

What is “Cultural HeritageWhat is “Cultural Heritage”? ”? (II)(II)

““Knowledge” =Knowledge” =

““la culture générale”?la culture générale”?

The Knowledge of the The Knowledge of the Common Cultural Heritage Common Cultural Heritage

as a Key?as a Key?

(A Thesis)(A Thesis)

According to Ernst Gombrich:According to Ernst Gombrich:

““culture” is a “topos”, a place, a space in culture” is a “topos”, a place, a space in which people can meet other people, which people can meet other people,

can establish a conversation, because can establish a conversation, because they share “friends”.they share “friends”.

If this is true, the European heritage is part If this is true, the European heritage is part of this “topos”.of this “topos”.

9th Topic:9th Topic:

The Role of Culture in the The Role of Culture in the External RelationsExternal Relations

A) A) Intercultural DialogueIntercultural Dialogue

"Im Rahmen der Kulturdifferenzhypothese "Im Rahmen der Kulturdifferenzhypothese gibt es (...) die Vorstellung, kulturelle gibt es (...) die Vorstellung, kulturelle Identität sei etwas Essentielles, das in seiner Identität sei etwas Essentielles, das in seiner Substanz fixiert ist. Darauf gründet die Substanz fixiert ist. Darauf gründet die Auffassung, daß kulturelle Differenzen Auffassung, daß kulturelle Differenzen bestehen, die sich nicht überwinden lassen" bestehen, die sich nicht überwinden lassen" (Detlef BUROW).(Detlef BUROW).

““Every culture represents a unique and Every culture represents a unique and irreplaceable body of values since each people's irreplaceable body of values since each people's traditions and forms of expression are its most traditions and forms of expression are its most effective means of demonstrating its presence in effective means of demonstrating its presence in the world”.the world”.

(("Declaración de México sobre las Políticas "Declaración de México sobre las Políticas Culturales"Culturales",,

1982). 1982).

““The “establishment of group identity" is The “establishment of group identity" is often made "by means of differentiation often made "by means of differentiation from other group identities” (FIRCHOW from other group identities” (FIRCHOW 1986). Indeed: "According to the 1986). Indeed: "According to the sociological hypothesis, every We-group sociological hypothesis, every We-group implies necessarily the existence of the implies necessarily the existence of the others, and it is based upon the distinction others, and it is based upon the distinction between us and the others" (SKILJAN between us and the others" (SKILJAN 1998). In this way, “the notion of 1998). In this way, “the notion of alterity alterity became synonymous to that of became synonymous to that of antagonismantagonism” ”

(JENKINS-SOFOS 1996).(JENKINS-SOFOS 1996).

Strath expresses the same from another perspective: Strath expresses the same from another perspective: “Identity construction is a matter of a very fragile “Identity construction is a matter of a very fragile balance (...) between ‘inward’ and ‘outward’” balance (...) between ‘inward’ and ‘outward’” (STRATH). This has produced often definitions "in (STRATH). This has produced often definitions "in negative terms" (BOYCE), that is, by indicating negative terms" (BOYCE), that is, by indicating what "we are not" and by excluding those who "are what "we are not" and by excluding those who "are not". Indeed, “concepts like nationhood (...) have not". Indeed, “concepts like nationhood (...) have an inherent capacity to ‘exclude’ as much as to an inherent capacity to ‘exclude’ as much as to ‘include’” (JENKINS-SOFOS 1996), what means, ‘include’” (JENKINS-SOFOS 1996), what means, "including the construction of images of undesirable "including the construction of images of undesirable 'Others'" (BOYCE).'Others'" (BOYCE).""

The Solidification of The Solidification of “Culture”“Culture”

(Culture vs Human Rights?)(Culture vs Human Rights?)

Therefore: Intercultural Therefore: Intercultural Dialogue means a Dialogue means a

Profund Change of Mind Profund Change of Mind ……

9th Topic:9th Topic:

The Role of Culture in the The Role of Culture in the External RelationsExternal Relations

B) B) Culture and DevelopmentCulture and Development (in the Euro- (in the Euro-Med Region)Med Region)

Human Development Index Human Development Index 20052005

High: France (16), Italy (18), High: France (16), Italy (18), Spain (21), Israel (23), Greece Spain (21), Israel (23), Greece (24), Slovenia (26), Cyprus (29), (24), Slovenia (26), Cyprus (29), Malta (32), Croatia (45)Malta (32), Croatia (45)

Human Development Index 2005Human Development Index 2005 Middle: Middle: Lybia (58), Lebanon (81), Lybia (58), Lebanon (81),

Tunisia (89), Jordan (90), Turkey (94), Tunisia (89), Jordan (90), Turkey (94), Palestinian Authority (102), Algeria Palestinian Authority (102), Algeria (103), Syria (106), Egypt (119), (103), Syria (106), Egypt (119), Morocco (124)Morocco (124)

Low: -Low: -(177 countries are included)(177 countries are included)

But:But:

Life Expectancy: Italy (80.1), Life Expectancy: Italy (80.1), Morocco (69.7)Morocco (69.7)

Adults’ Alphabetization: Adults’ Alphabetization: France France (99), (99), Morocco (50.7)Morocco (50.7)

GDP per capita: GDP per capita: France (27.677 France (27.677 US$), US$), Syria (3.576)Syria (3.576)

Some Reflections about Some Reflections about “Tourism and “Tourism and

Development”:Development”:

Economie: Economie: Tourism contributes by 5,5% to the EU’s GDP.

it represents 9,4% of the Spain’s GDP,

9% of France’s, 8,2% of Portugal’s,

6,3% of Italy’s more than 6% of Greece’s

Employment: Employment: Employment in tourism represents almost 6% of total employment in the EU,

7% in France, 10% in Spain, 8% in Portugal and 7% in Greece

Environment: “Environment: “The negative impact of tourism on the environment can be specified as:

Coastal and water pollution, land base pollution and sound pollution Distortion of historical and cultural sites, traditional; settlements,

landscapes and morphological typology of these areas; Degradation of traditional way of life and of the social environment”.

(Persa Fokiali, International Center for Mediterranean Studies)

Social:Social: Cultural: “Touristical correctness”Cultural: “Touristical correctness”

(The Masai-Dances)(The Masai-Dances)

““définir une stratégie qui transformerait le définir une stratégie qui transformerait le patrimoine en un catalyseur de la coopération patrimoine en un catalyseur de la coopération dans toute la région méditerranéenne. Ils ne se dans toute la région méditerranéenne. Ils ne se sont pas seulement concentrés sur les sont pas seulement concentrés sur les monuments et l’artisanat, ils voulaient également monuments et l’artisanat, ils voulaient également attirer l’attention sur l’extraordinaire patrimoine attirer l’attention sur l’extraordinaire patrimoine méditerranéen de traditions immateriélles, de méditerranéen de traditions immateriélles, de croyances, d’oeuvres d’art et de fêtes locales”croyances, d’oeuvres d’art et de fêtes locales”

((Commission Européenne: Commission Européenne: Euromed Héritage, Euromed Héritage, 20022002) )

““Si se quiere que la cultura desempeñe Si se quiere que la cultura desempeñe un papel esencial, esto significa que el un papel esencial, esto significa que el Estado ha de interesarse también por el Estado ha de interesarse también por el bienestar cultural como parte integrante bienestar cultural como parte integrante del bienestar social y económico”del bienestar social y económico”

((UNESCO Stockholm Conference on Cultural Policies, 1999UNESCO Stockholm Conference on Cultural Policies, 1999))

9th Topic:9th Topic:

The Role of Culture in the The Role of Culture in the External RelationsExternal Relations

C) C) Culture in the Euro-Mediterranean Culture in the Euro-Mediterranean DialogueDialogue

The Mediterranean Space: The Mediterranean Space:

A Myth?A Myth?

““unidad evidente, (...) ser profundo del unidad evidente, (...) ser profundo del Mediterráneo” (Fernand Braudel)Mediterráneo” (Fernand Braudel)

un “espace magique” (un “espace magique” (Thierry Fabre)Thierry Fabre) ““ha creado el hombre moderno, ha creado el ha creado el hombre moderno, ha creado el

mundo moderno” (mundo moderno” (Baltasar Porcel)Baltasar Porcel) ““la communauté de destin des peuples” (la communauté de destin des peuples” (Paul Paul

Rasse)Rasse)

The Mediterranean Space: The Mediterranean Space: A RealityA Reality

Encounter or Isolation?Encounter or Isolation? Influences, Mixtures or Influences, Mixtures or

“Identities”?“Identities”?

The Mediterranean Space: The Mediterranean Space: A Reality (2)A Reality (2)

A Space of EncoutersA Space of Encouters In a Globalising WorldIn a Globalising World

What does the Encounter What does the Encounter between Cultures mean?between Cultures mean?

Clash of Civilisations?Clash of Civilisations? Cultural Exchange?Cultural Exchange? Cultural Relativism?Cultural Relativism?

A Threat for Cultural Identity?A Threat for Cultural Identity? A Reason for Cultural Resistance?A Reason for Cultural Resistance?

Is Cultural Relativism the Is Cultural Relativism the necessary Consequence?necessary Consequence?

• The Soup in Kazakhstan

• The Vidows in India.

GlobalisationGlobalisation

30.000 McDonalds in 119 countries

47 millions of “users” daily1 new McDonald’s is opened

every 17 h.

GlobalisationGlobalisation

300 Coca-Cola plants in 200 countriesWorld consum: 45.000 bottles/second

Is Globalisation* a Blessing or Is Globalisation* a Blessing or a Threat?a Threat?

* Whether “globalization” is a useful concept * Whether “globalization” is a useful concept remains open to doubtremains open to doubt

((Jedediah Purdy 2002)Jedediah Purdy 2002)

““the beauty of globalisation is that it can the beauty of globalisation is that it can free people from the tyranny of geography”. free people from the tyranny of geography”.

(Philippe Legrain, “Cultural Globalization is not Americanization”,(Philippe Legrain, “Cultural Globalization is not Americanization”, The Chronicle Review, The Chronicle Review, 2003)2003)

““La globalización es un integrismo más La globalización es un integrismo más radical que el islámico.radical que el islámico.””

(Jean Baudrillard, en: (Jean Baudrillard, en: El MundoEl Mundo, 2 de abril de 2004, pág. 49) , 2 de abril de 2004, pág. 49)

A balance:A balance:

““on the one hand, a greater capacity for on the one hand, a greater capacity for communication and exchange on the communication and exchange on the international scale take places with unbalanced international scale take places with unbalanced consequences; whereas on the other, there consequences; whereas on the other, there exists a real danger of cultural homogenisation exists a real danger of cultural homogenisation and commodification, flat individualization and and commodification, flat individualization and increasing secularization as a result of the increasing secularization as a result of the imposition of the contemporary western cultural imposition of the contemporary western cultural model with damaging effects on our model with damaging effects on our civilisations”civilisations”

((Léonce BekemansLéonce Bekemans))

The Euro-Mediterranean DialogueThe Euro-Mediterranean Dialogue:: 1995: Barcelona Process1995: Barcelona Process Euro-Mediterranean Euro-Mediterranean

PartnershipPartnership: “turning the Euro-Mediterranean basin into : “turning the Euro-Mediterranean basin into an area of dialogue, exchange and co-operation an area of dialogue, exchange and co-operation guaranteeing peace, stability and prosperity” guaranteeing peace, stability and prosperity”

2004: European Neighbourhood Policy2004: European Neighbourhood Policy the EU’s main the EU’s main external priority: “We invite these neighbours, on the external priority: “We invite these neighbours, on the basis of a mutual commitment to common values, to basis of a mutual commitment to common values, to move beyond existing cooperation to deeper economic move beyond existing cooperation to deeper economic and political, cultural and security cooperation - and political, cultural and security cooperation - strengthening stability, security and well-being for all strengthening stability, security and well-being for all concerned. The new feature is that we go beyond concerned. The new feature is that we go beyond cooperation to include economic integration, for those cooperation to include economic integration, for those ready and able.ready and able.

It would be great if the Mediterranean It would be great if the Mediterranean could becould be

““an area of shared prosperity and conviviality an area of shared prosperity and conviviality between our peoples, cultures and between our peoples, cultures and civilizations; a zone of common values, where civilizations; a zone of common values, where we can disagree in a civilized way and listen we can disagree in a civilized way and listen to the Other with respect for the differences, to the Other with respect for the differences, images and stories of the Other”images and stories of the Other”

(Leónce Bekemans)(Leónce Bekemans)

ThereforeTherefore we needwe need “a new imaginative approach “a new imaginative approach

of cultural cooperation beyond existing of cultural cooperation beyond existing institutional cooperation (...). institutional cooperation (...). There is a There is a need for mobilising projects which reach need for mobilising projects which reach out to the people”.out to the people”.

(Léonce Bekemans)(Léonce Bekemans)

T H E E N DA presentation by:

Enrique Banús

Universidad de Navarra

ebanus@unav.es

© Enrique Banús 2006

ReferencesReferences Jedediah Purdy 2002: The Values of the Market, Jedediah Purdy 2002: The Values of the Market,

Ethics & International AffairsEthics & International Affairs