Abstract:

At a time when the European Union is further expanding and countries, such as Turkey are being accepted for eventual membership, the question of what is meant by a unified Europe and how that might be achieved has never been more pressing. Europe is more than a system of rules and political institutions that regulate European citizenship: it is also a space of political traditions, political experiences and cultural memories. Can political integration ever be realised without an understanding and acceptance of the complexity of the political cultures that make up Europe ? In this volume, European scholars from a diversity of backgrounds explore the issues that must be addressed if the challenge of an integrated Europe is to be successfully met.

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Preface (excerpt)

Because of its rich history, Europe is a theatre of great many variations in political culture from society to society. It is true that at present liberal democracy is a strong unifying link between the members of the uropean Union. Nonetheless it is undeniable that there are substantial differences between the political societies of Europe regarding constitutionalism, the rule of law as well as forms and processes of representative democracy. (Hence, the European integration project is as much about unity as it is about conflict.) The cause of these differences lies primarily in divergences in political culture.