A NEW WAY OF LOOKING AT EUROPE

This is one of the declarations made on the European Union (EU) official website. The motto of the EU – the largest, most populous, political union of separate countries in the world – is ‘United in diversity’, signifying the intentions and efforts of Europeans to work together for peace and prosperity, while at the same time highlighting the idea that the many different cultures, traditions and languages of Europe are a key asset, benefit and legacy.

The EU website suggests that the history of the EU can be divided into six major periods as follows:

• • 1945–59: A peaceful Europe – the beginnings of cooperation

• • 1960s: The ‘Swinging Sixties’ – a period of economic growth

• • 1970s: A growing Community – the first Enlargement

• • 1980s: The changing face of Europe – the fall of the Berlin Wall

• • 1990s: A Europe without frontiers

• • 2000s: A decade of further expansion

• (European Commission, 2012b)

However, at this stage it cannot be predicted how the current, seventh (2010s) decade might be labelled. In the aftermath of the financial crisis, will it be known as the decade of ever-closer union and pan-European identity, salvation and solidarity? Or will it be the decade of austerity and the revival of old divisions, national stereotypes and hatred? Will it be the decade of sustainability, ‘green growth’ and social cohesion? Or will it be the decade of rising mass poverty, gross inequality, social exclusion and environmental degradation? On one hand there have been some optimistic signs, including a recent report by the European Commission suggesting a reduction in health inequalities between European regions and, in particular, a narrowing of gaps in life expectancy and infant mortality (European Commission, 2013a). However, there are also suggestions, from evidence such as that presented in a recent Red Cross report, that ‘Europe is sinking into a protracted period of deepening poverty, mass unemployment, social exclusion, greater inequality, and collective despair as a result of austerity policies adopted in response to the debt and currency crisis of the past four years’ (Traynor, 2013).