ROBERT SCHUMAN’S CONCEPT OF “EUROPEAN COMMUNITY”: WHAT LESSONS FOR EUROPE’S FUTURE?
ROBERT SCHUMAN’S CONCEPT OF “EUROPEAN COMMUNITY”: WHAT LESSONS FOR EUROPE’S FUTURE?

Summary/Abstract: The European Union faces an existential crisis and for the first time there is a risk of dis-integration and growing nationalism. Despite the motto “united in diversity”, diversity is often perceived as a threat. This study argues that revisiting the concept of “Community” in the Founding Fathers could give new impulse to the integration process and would allow for a reformulation of Europe’s future based on the original principles and values. The human-centred political project of the Founding Fathers can be epitomised in Robert Schuman’s definition of “Community”.It is argued that the Social Teaching of the Catholic Church and Communitarian Personalism are the main sources of spiritual and intellectual inspiration for Robert Schuman, clearly reflected in his thinking and writing. Several texts by Schuman are analysed to identify the main features of Schuman’s “European Community”. This study argues that the “Community” requires a certain mind-set that can only be achieved through personal encounters and specific policies aimed at promoting trust and mutual understanding among the peoples of Europe.

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