Towards an european identity based on cultural diversity

• Author: Alina Angela Manolescu
• Pages: 192-199

TOWARDS AN EUROPEAN IDENTITY BASED ON CULTURAL

DIVERSITY

Alina Angela Manolescu

Abstract

The pa per presents the development of Eur opean indentity from its

origins, when nations realized they ha ve a common future, and the

instruments to r each its highest potential. The purpose is to underline the

needed instruments to achieve social cohesion and the sense of belonging in

Europe, in order to expand political, cultur al and legal cooperation.

Key-words: cultural diversity, identity, human rights

Introduction

The aim of this study is to analyze the evolution towards a multi-

ethnic society and the need to a reassessment of the legal bases of an active

European citizenship based on common values, such as commitment,

solidarity and social justice. The present study is an attempt to demonstrate

that the co-existance of multiple identities, instead of causing a „clash of

civilisations” (Huntington, 1998), can lead to a new form of democracy that

reprezents the heritage of the european civilization - the cultural diversity.

Today more than ever the diversity of cultural identities becomes relevant

when discussing democracy in the European setting.

1. A European response to globalization

The roots of the legitimacy of the state are in its own constitutional

culture that bears witness to the values, history, traditions, beliefs, experience

and aspirations of past generations. In answering the emergence of multi-

ethnic society the concepts of "state", "nation" and "territory" should be re-

evaluated, beeing part of natural evolution of the value system that underlie

the states.