What holds Europe together? / / edited by Krzysztof Michalski.

• Superior document: Conditions of European solidarity ; v.1
• VerfasserIn: Michalski, Krzysztof, 1948-2013,
• TeilnehmendeR: Michalski, Krzysztof, 1948-
• Year of Publication: 2006
• Language: English
• Series: Conditions of European solidarity ; v.1.
• Physical Description: vi, 192 p. :; ill.
• Notes: Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

The book addresses contemporary developments in European identity politics as part of a larger historical trajectory of a common European identity based on the idea of 'solidarity.' The authors explain the special sense in which Europeans perceive their obligations to their less fortunate compatriots, to the new East European members, and to the world at large. An understanding of this notion of 'solidarity' is critical to understanding the specific European commitment to social justice and equality. The specificity of this term helps to distinguish between what the Germans call "social state" from the Anglo-Saxon, and particularly American, political and social system focused on capitalism and economic liberalism. This collection is the result of the work of an extremely distinguished group of scholars and politicians, invited by the previous President of the European Union, Romano Prodi, to reflect on some of the most important subjects affecting the future of Europe.

Table of Contents

Frontmatter -- Contents -- Introduction -- Thinking about Europe as a Community -- “United in Diversity”: What Holds Europe Together? -- Conditions for European Solidarity -- What Hope for Solidarity in the Enlarged Union? -- Between Resentment and Indifference: Narratives of Solidarity in the Enlarging Union -- The European Union’s Enlargement to the East and Solidarity -- What Holds Europe Together? Concluding Remarks -- COMMENTS -- Needed but Uncertain Cohesion -- Building Europe -- Intersecting and Overlapping European Cultures -- It is Necessary to Believe in Europe -- Does Europe Need a Cultural Identity? Ten Critical Remarks -- Solidarity on Trial -- Europe—Still Divided -- Reflections on Solidarity -- Europe’s Solidarity Deficit -- Turkey’s EU Membership as a Litmus Test of European Self-Confidence -- European and Global Solidarity -- What Distinguishes Europe? -- European Culture, an Ambivalent Heritage -- Solidarity and Freedom -- Europe is not Europe is not Europe -- Making Barbecue in the European Garden -- Solidarity under Threat -- Islam in Europe -- United Europe, Divided History -- List of Contributors