Mikael af Malmborg, Bo Stråth (eds.), The Meaning of Europe. Variety and Contention within and among Nations. Berg Publishers, Oxford 2002
Abstract
Mention the word Europe in today’s society, and you are greeted with a range of responses, from impassioned debate to scepticism and outright hostility. Yet long before the emergence of the modern European Union, the concept of Europe played a vital role in creating national identities. This book considers the wealth of contemporary and historical attitudes towards Europe and how these vary both within and between different nation-states.
Why are some countries ‘Europhiles’ whilst others are ‘Europhobic’? How has Europe alternately been perceived as a threat to local culture and identity or as the core of nation-building? Why are individual responses to Europe so diverse?
Comparing and contrasting experiences from twelve very different countries, the authors explore the multitude of ways in which established national discourses are reconciled with an emerging identity within the EU
