DE CE O EUROPĂ A NAŢIUNILOR? INTERCULTURALITATEA CA BAZĂ PENTRU REGÂNDIREA CONSTRUCŢIEI EUROPENE
WHY A EUROPE OF NATIONS? INTERCULTURALISM AS A BASIS FOR REORDERING OF EUROPEAN STRUCTURE

Summary/Abstract: This paper offers an analysis of the concept of "Europe of nations" as well as an analysis of competing concepts “Europe of regions” or “European nation”. It seems that neither of them is in concordance with the acknowledged principles standing at the basis of the whole European structure nor with the continent’s socio-cultural relations. These concepts are not able to offer viable solutions to the challenges Europe will be faced with in the years to come. The application of the intercultural principles combined with a federalist structure on various levels and based on the principle of supplement is proposed as an alternative. Such structure allows different types of cultural (national, regional, ethnic, etc.) identities to be expressed and, at the same time, it assures respect of every citizen’s rights without discrimination and a more efficient management at every level, offering the most adequate solutions for the economical, demographic and cultural progress imposed by globalization. An analyses of the concept “Europe of Nations” or competitive understanding of the type ”European nation” shows that they do not coincide with the principles of any European structure. They do not comply with social and cultural reality of the continent. From the practical point of view, the right solution would be the Federal Europe. That would surely reconcile, in the best fashion, continental unity and democracy with the need to respect the identity of each nation individually. In our opinion, Europe of the federal type organized on four levels - local, regional, national and European - would suit reality and agenda goals the most. The key element of our proposition is relinquishing from the well-known principle ”one state, one nation“, since it was undoable in reality. We propose clear division of administrative part from cultural. As a result, states will become administrative units of Europe with full understanding of a nation and the legitimacy of a national state.

• Details
• Contents