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

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

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?