This column is meant to be one legal-existential observatory At European politics to initiate a cultural and political debate. Too often thatEuropean Union, It is perceived as something distant and cold, imposing policies and regulations that limit the freedoms of member states and citizens. Too often the European Union is seen as a place bureaucracy and of economism, the stepmother that enforces accounts. What we propose here It’s not about sugaring the pill But start a discussion about the Europe we want.
After all, we are the European Union and we are and will be the ones building it.
I think it is necessary to start a debate by saying “Europe“, “community” And “union“. Three words with which we can reflect on the origins of the concept of Europe, its development after the Second World War and the current situation.
Europe:
The etymology of the word Europa is found in the Greek words εὐρύς (eurus), “broad”, and ὤψ (ṓps), “eye”, meaning “wide view“. According to another opinion, it derives from the Semitic term “ereb” meaning “west”, which the Phoenicians used to designate all areas west of Syria. In any case, the reference to the myth of the girl who seduced Zeus in the form of a white bull and took him to Crete is a must.
Community:
As we know very well, the European Union as we know it today originated in Treaty of Paris of April 18, 1951 establishing the European Coal and Steel Community (CZECH). The aim was to combine the production of coal and steel, and six countries were involved: Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. It is interesting that the word “community‘, now abused and meaningless. Therefore, in this case too, it seems necessary to go back to the etymology. The word derives from the Latin cum-munus: der gift/responsibility together. Munus actually has the double meaning of gift and obligation, while cum means together. Community is the place to discover the gift that is already present in each one of us. Only together and only in relationship can it be given, or perhaps we understand that it has already been given to others: it is exactly a gift. But the Latin munus is also an obligation, a responsibility, an ability to react, to give an answer to reality.
Union:
with the Maastricht Treaty On February 7, 1992, the Treaty of Rome (March 25, 1957) merged the European Community into the European Union, a leap that is not only political and legal, but also conceptual. From the word ‘community’ we move to the word ‘union’ which tells us more and seems to give direction. In fact, there is not necessarily unity in the community. The latter implies the will to mix one’s own identities not only economically, but also politically and culturally. Some suggest the idea of the United States of Europe. Are we ready as Europeans?
The title of this section is also derived from this question: State myths of Europe, intended as a source of debate, the legal-existential analysis of current events and generativity. Mild is not that softybut the tender, also understood as ripe: A fruit is ripe when it is tender. He is the one who can bestow and bring forth life and bring forth other fruits. Before we reach the United States of Europe, we may need to rediscover Europe’s mythical states.
Being meek means being passionate and productive, not being limp. Given the polarization and violence of the political debate, given the populisms distorting reality, it may be necessary to reconnect with the essence of Europe with the three proposed words. Europe, “with a wide view”, is the stranger par excellence, he is the one his brothers are looking for because he has disappeared. It is she who finds refuge on an island (not the continent) that will be the cradle of our civilization, attracted not by violence but by the surprising gentleness of the white bull. Building this community depends on all of us culturally, politically and economically. Finally union. We may never agree; An example is the United States of America, today a scene of violence and division, both political and cultural. “United” is a tension that perhaps hides the word gentleness as a necessary condition.
Roman researcher, born in 1984. He holds a law degree and a PhD in philosophy of law, politics and morals. He has worked for the EU and for the European Patent Office. He currently serves as a policy officer for European policy in an advisory capacity. As a passionate philosopher, he tries to give an existential touch to everyday life and political challenges in his writings
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Valerio Pellegrini