An Italian statesman famously noted after reunification that, having created Italy, one now had to create Italians. The same is more or less true of the EU and its relationship to its citizens. If “ever closer union” is to become more than a pipe dream, the people of Europe need to think of themselves primarily as “Europeans.”
But what exactly binds these very different people together? After all, they have been fighting wars among themselves for centuries. Here is the list, with my comments:
- In, say, 1950, the first part of the answer would clearly have been Christianity. Today, not so much, due to the increasing secularization of Europe, and the influx of Muslim immigrants.
- A commitment to liberal democracy? Have you been to Hungary lately?
- A common culture and history? Not really, although the nearly universal use of English as a second language helps to some extent. With Brexit looming, there’s an amusing paradox for you.
What you are left with is Eurovision, the Ryder Cup, and football (soccer). That isn’t much to use as a basis for creating an identity.
Maybe Trump can help them out by being so obnoxious that they can’t help but unite against him. Laugh if you want–it’s not impossible.