The new Europe raises hopes and fears, aspirations and resentments, passions and indifference. For some it is the promise of continental unity born out of local diversity, the ultimate experiment in political pluralism. For others it is the site of atavistic nationalism. For some it is the prospect of an economic giant that will be capable of taking on the global dominance of Japan and the United States. For others it raises the spectre of transnational capital breaking up and overturning the social and political gains of national welfare states. For some it is the free movement of people and ideas across boundaries that, in the lifetime of the vast majority of adults now alive, have been maintained only by violence, fear and persecution. For others it is the erosion of the little local particularities that have given to the peoples of Europe their history, traditions and identity. For some Europe is a grand ideal. For others it is merely a geographical expression.

doi.org/10.4324/9780203993255-4, hdl.handle.net/1765/118493
Erasmus University Rotterdam

Lehning, P., & Weale, A. (Albert). (2005). Citizenship, democracy and justice in the new Europe. In Citizenship, Democracy and Justice in the New Europe (pp. 1–13). doi:10.4324/9780203993255-4