The EU and European identity

I am first and foremost Irish, and I love being Irish, but I would also identify, on a secondary basis, as European.


It's like having a load of crazy, far-flung relatives - the French, Germans, Polish etc are my whacky country cousins.

College repeat tomorrow?

dilbert2 wrote: »

Do you think that there is a European identity akin to that of the American identity, where there are regional differences such as the North, South, Midwest etc. but everybody considers themselves Americans, and are governed federally.

Do you think that this is possible in Europe, if not now, maybe in future? Or do you see the European Union as a trading block, and better that way – as opposed to a United States of Europe where there is a European identity and political cohesion such as what one would find in the US?

I don't think it will ever be quite the same but if the EU weathers a few storms such as the banking crisis I definitely think a sense of European identity will strengthen in more of us.

they would have some soccer team though.

I have to say I'm an extremely proud European. If people say they have nothing in common with other Europeans then I think they're blinded by either their inability of seeing past someone speaking another language or the introversion of their own day to day actions.

Of course Europe is incredibly diverse and isn't some little village like the Americans go on, but I have plenty of things in common with other Europeans despite our differences. To call myself just Irish would be a very close minded approach.

Chips Ahoy wrote: »

Haha true, ronaldo might make it as well.

Ah yes. I forgot about that ****. Might unbalance the team's morale by being a dickhead, though.

I consider myself Irish and nothing else. I would never call myself European. I don't particularly like the EU. I think it has too much power and I don't want to live in the "United States of Europe".

I've found that being Irish in a group of others is fine, but if your Irish in a group of Irish, one will go on about being from, Eg, Kildare, then Leixlip, then the Far End of Leixlip. I've had so many arguments over that kinda stuff that I've honestly given up all hope.

Unless I'm in America that is, they sure do love the paddies. :pac:

EuropeanSon wrote: »

Just Spain's first 11, with Philip Lahm and Ashley Cole thrown in.

Robbie Keane is one of the world's most prolific goalscorers surely he'd be in with a shout. Also Lahm/Cole both play left back IIRC?

pragmatic1 wrote: »

Nope. More in common with the Brits and Americans than Europeans. I'd consider myself Irish and thats it.

I'm puzzled as to how you think Irish people could have more in common with Americans than we do with our fellow Europeans, particularly central and southern European nations. From a moral and political perspective we are very similar to the French, German, Belgian, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish. Lets not forget that America has some outlandish right wing movements such as the Tea Party and other christian fundamentalist groups, something that is not commonplace in central/southern Europe. I think most Europeans are liberal thinking, obviously the further north one travels the more liberal it becomes. But in general Europe is united by it's tolerance of different creeds/belief systems/political views and its openness to change. Contrast this to America where its not currently possible to have A Socialist Party as it would be shot down by the dominant right wing element for being "communist". McCarthyism never went away, it still resides in the American psyche.

Yes, we share similar interests in music and media as well as a common language. But for me, that's where the similarities end between us and the Americans. The average American is content to bear arms, as is provided for in the US constitution. The average Irish person would never want to bear arms. Likewise the average French or German.

So in some ways we're similar to America, but from a belief system and political point of view, Ireland is as European as it gets. And long may it continue.