IV. Europe split between identity fractions and a strong desire for unity

• Centripetal and Centrifugal forces working simultaneously

• 45-50 States in Europe (depending on definition)

• Europe = the most fragmented continent on earth

A. Nations assert recognition of their national sovereignty on a cultural basis

• Trend increased in last 20 yrs breaking up of empires and Federations (e.g. USSR, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia)

• Balkans & East vast movements of national religious groups recomposing

– New states & borders emerging

• Some members witnessed their national unity challenged (e.g. Belgium, UK, Italy, Spain) due to weight of internal divisions

Scotland Referendum 2014

Basque Separatists

French and Dutch divisions

Map 1:How many devolutionary pressures can you name?

Devolution: the transfer of power from the central government to sub-governments

• Red names indicate regions with movements that only claim greater autonomy within the actual state.

• Black names indicate regions with important secessionist movements, although both categories include moderate movements.

• The nations highlighted in colors are the territories claimed by the local nationalist groups, including areas out of the state's borders and cases of annexation to other states.

Map 2 of autonomist movements in the

European Union, September 2013 -

B. In West, European nation-states 1st to enter exceptional supranational project

EEU Economic

Unit

EC Political Unit

EU Federation

• Video: A Brief Summary of the History of the EU Enlargement

• Which countries have applied for membership? Which countries’ applications have been accepted? Which countries hope to apply?

Video: Criticism of Serbia and Turkey in EU enlargement report 2012

• What has the EU Commission stated as a condition for Serbia to join the EU?

• On what grounds is Turkey’s admission criticized?

The EU and the Euro Crisis

• Video: Emerging Stronger from the Crisis – the European vision

Euro pessimists vs. Euro optimists

Case Study 1: Turkey and the EU

Case Study 2: The UK and Devolution