Hans Kundnani argues the EU has roots in the history of empire and white Christian cultural identity
In the chapter Ideas of Europe the author traces the emergence of Europe as Christendom, the geopolitical territory of the Christian church. As the Enlightenment displaced the power of religion, European identity became increasingly framed through the prism of empire.
Here the author sees the desire of the signatories of the Treaty of Rome to unite as born from a need to recover Europe’s global position of dominance. The common theme is the asserting of Europe’s civilising role on the world stage, first in the bipolar Cold War era and then in the ever more fractured multipolar era of authoritarian states.What is striking is the extent to which what Kundnani calls “imperial amnesia” seeps through the European integration project.
Kundnani references the hypocrisy of the EU’s migration policy with its self-proclaimed liberal cosmopolitanism and declared respect for human rights Sally Hayden’s powerful and depressing My Fourth Time We Drowned is a cautionary reminder of the conceit that is Europe’s sense of civilisational superiority when castigating others for human rights breaches that Europe’s leaders simply pay others to commit.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ryan Tubridy looks set to join Murdoch empire after London tripThe former RTE star had discussions with News UK which owns Talk TV,Talk Radio, Virgin Radio and seven radio stations in Ireland during his much publicised trip to London
Read more »
An Irishman in Dubai: ‘We are there to do business, not to judge any culture’Wild Geese: Understanding cultural differences is the key to success in the Middle East, says Michael Connolly
Read more »
Football agent ruthlessly sacks top jockey by text for “mistakes” in £1m raceKia Joorabchian appointed Kevin Stott to ride for his powerful Amo Racing team at the start of the season but the partnership has been ended after King Of Steel's defeat in the Irish Champion Stakes
Read more »
Irish Champions Festival full race card and tips - list of runners on SundayThe Kildare track is the venue for the second day of the Irish Champions Festival, with four Group 1s among the eight contests on the card
Read more »
Too Black, too white: being mixed race in IrelandWhere does the Black-Irish community belong and what is its future? Secondary school teacher Emer O’Neill (emeroneill14) addresses the key...
Read more »