Is Europe a shared history or a political project?
In short: From the Carolingian Empire to the modern European Union, the concept of a 'pan-European' identity has shifted from a religious cultural sphere to a deliberate political construction. It raises a fundamental question: is being European a natural heritage or a manufactured goal?
The roots of pan-Europeanism are deeply historical. During the Carolingian dynasty, 'Europe' was first defined as a cultural entity encompassing the areas ruled by the Roman Catholic Church, distinct from Eastern Orthodoxy. This cultural sphere was later known as Medieval Western Christendom. In 754, the Mozarabic Chronicle provided the earliest written mention of 'Europeans', identifying them as the victors over Saracen forces during the 732 Battle of Tours.
Modern pan-Europeanism emerged after World War I as a response to conflict, seeking a shared history of 'European values.' These values were later popularized in the 1980s as a political neologism to contrast Western individualism and human rights against Eastern collectivism. Today, the European Union promotes a specific set of values—including democracy, equality, and the rule of law—as codified in the 2007 Treaty of Lisbon. However, some scholars argue this is a 'shape-shifting' identity, noting that European Islam, which concerns about 8% of the population, is a significant contemporary side of the continent's identity.
The construction of this identity is a deliberate process involving 'identity formation.' The EU uses symbols like the anthem 'Ode to Joy,' the motto 'In Varietate Concordia,' and the .eu domain name to foster a sense of belonging. Yet, critics point out that a common identity is often viewed as a by-product rather than a primary goal. While the EU has expanded to 27 member states—far beyond the original geographic scope envisioned by early theorists like Richard von Coudenhove-Kalergi—the sense of belonging remains a subject of debate, often existing alongside strong national or regional loyalties.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Pan-European identity
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