Post on 25-Dec-2015
EUROPEEUROPE
Overview
Background Video Culture and Religion Economic and Social Issues Politics and Government
Culture and Religion Europe is comprised of a mosaic of cultural
groups sharing a long history of interactionRoman EmpireNapoleonHistory of violenceTwo World WarsCold WarEthnic/religious conflicts
Leads to shared perspectives…
Generous social welfare system Governments should look after
society and provide extensive network of social welfare public services
Most countries significantly assist in reducing individual health care costs
Unfortunately, has led to extremely high taxes…
Culture and Religion
Vacation and leisure Relaxation and enjoyment
highly valued This value is reflected in
amount of vacation time taken by workers
Social life– dancing, celebrating, lounging– very important to daily life
Culture and Religion
Education Historical legacy with nearly 2,500
years of formal education Home to some of the world’s
oldest universities Literacy +90% Many pursue higher education Nearly all European countries
require students to by multi-lingual
Culture and Religion
Many countries have one dominant ethnic group (i.e., Swedes in Sweden)
But most countries also have at least one minority group
Basques in SpainKurds in TurkeyRoma (Gypsies)
Not all ethnic groups have blended peacefully (i.e., the Balkans)…
Culture and Religion
Mixed or conflicting foreign policies, especially when dealing with Former Soviet Republics
Long standing historical hatred
Ethnic cleansing as in the former Yugoslavia
Current ethnic, religious, and nationalistic violence
Culture and Religion
Integration of immigrants into the overall European society has been a growing concern Fall of Communism Rise of EU and open borders Can promotes cross-cultural
interaction May offset negative
population growth
Culture and Religion
60+ languages, most of which fall into one of three categories: Romance Germanic Slavic
Culture and Religion
Many are multi-lingual and English is a common “go-between” language
Europe is home to a variety of religions Although immigrants have introduced
Hinduism and Buddhism to Europe, the three dominant religions are: Christianity Judaism Islam
Culture and Religion
Christianity
Europe’s dominant religion, and most European Christians are:
Roman Catholic
Protestant
Eastern Orthodox
Provided spiritual meaning and played key role in the formation of European culture and rise of democracy in Europe
Culture and Religion
Judaism Practiced since Roman times Some of the greatest Jewish
philosophers were European Pre-WW2, significant Jewish
communities throughout Europe… but majority of Jewish population killed by Nazis
Small communities still exist in urban areas around Europe
Culture and Religion
Islam Practiced since the 8th
Century Fueled recently by
immigration from Africa and Middle East
Fastest growing religion in Europe today
Culture and Religion
Europe's religious diversity contributes to its cultural diversity and transnational ties
Religious similarities between countries can be positive, differences have led to persecution and warfare: Northern Ireland Balkan wars Breakup of the former Yugoslavia
While religion can unite people… It can also be divisive
Culture and Religion
Economic & Social Issues
Communist legacy
Communist-era economic policies were difficult to dismantle
Restricted basic freedoms
Significantly poor economies
Rampant corruption
Economic & Social Issues
Communist legacy:
Lack of incentives… workers guaranteed jobs, so no reason to excel and workers did no more than what was required
Absence of free-market system… State ran banks and manufacturers
Decaying infrastructure… Transportation and communication systems tended to be poorly maintained
European Union Foundation dates to post-WWII as many
countries sought economic integration Two critical initiatives that boosted the
formation of the EU: Single European Act (1987) Maastricht Treaty (1993)
Economic & Social Issues
Single European Act Expanded powers of the EC’s
parliamentary body Promotes economic integration and political
unity Maastricht Treaty
Blueprint for political, economic, and monetary unity among EU members
Included plans to create a standard European currency (Euro)
Economic & Social Issues
Politics and Government
Since fall of the Soviet Union, Europe has
remained largely steady on the path toward
greater continental integration
EU growth:
10 new members added to EU in 2004
2 more in 2007… 2 more in talks!
Coincides with NATO expansion
NATO Created in 1949, reflected commitment to
protect common values Sought to provide collective defense against
expanding Soviet influence Post-Cold War, struggling to redefine itself
International Security Assistance Force Joint US-European law enforcement efforts
Decisions remain consensus based
Politics and Government
Even with NATO, the EU has committed to creating European “battle groups”
22 of the EU’s 25 nations will supply troops on a rotating basis
Unlike NATO, the US will have no say in the employment or operations of the new EU battle groups
Politics and Government
Summary
Background Video Culture and Religion Economic and Social Issues Politics and Government
Questions?
Culture and Society Europe in World
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Environment Politics and
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SCIS Videos and Student Presentations
SCIS Videos and Student Presentations
Student Briefings
Culture and Society Europe in World
Affairs Economics and the
Environment Politics and
Government
SCIS Videos and Student Presentations
SCIS Videos and Student Presentations
Student Briefings
Culture and Society Europe in World
Affairs Economics and the
Environment Politics and
Government
SCIS Videos and Student Presentations
SCIS Videos and Student Presentations
Student Briefings
Culture and Society Europe in World
Affairs Economics and the
Environment Politics and
Government
SCIS Videos and Student Presentations
SCIS Videos and Student Presentations
Student Briefings
Questions?