I know geographically it is and it is supposedly part of the EU, but do most British people really consider them Europeans?? I know in Ireland since we joined the EU it has really benefited us and has helped our economy to no end and most Irish people have fully embraced it and would consider themselves Europeans, but it seems to me (and I could be wrong) that most British have this anti-europe buzz going on and would prefer to be out on their own. Also the fact that Tony Blair is in cahootes with the US aswell further puts a divider between Britian and the rest of Europe. This thread isn't meant to be offensive and I know most people that post here are the more cultured liberal end of British society, not the stereotypical larger lout who'll refuse to use any money without the Queens head on it and doesn't like the Paddies, Frogs and Krauts! Just wondering what your opinions on it are?
I don't actively think of myself as European, but I have no problem with the ideal of European unity. I think when you're an island dweller it's kinda hard to connect with a mainland culture that you have no direct contact with.
I don't really identify myself by nationhood. People are people, and I think of nations as arbitrary concepts....
I don't really percieve myself as being European or British even though that's what's written on my passport. National or even continental identity means little to me. However I am very pro-Euro as for me it represents a big step in the direction of a unified global government and I'm all for it.
A good thing about these forums is that you get to talk and meet people from all over... it makes you see (if you didnt before) how a like we all are.
I don't consider myself European, I guess I am because of Geography, but it rarely enters my thoughts and I never use it to identify myself. I'm not particularly in favour of the EU but I do see advantages such as members having to agree to the convention on human rights and some advantages to a common currency and market ... however this seems to be a bit restrictive with increasing food mountains, farmer subsidies and production quota limits. (but I admit that I don't really understand this properly) I'd prefer to see less power and not more. The thought of a global government seems too much at risk from corruption and imperialism ... I'd much rather see people govern their own lives on a much smaller scale ... no borders, no leaders, no currency .... just one world full of different types of people, living in their own small communities and all working together without some bunch of faceless leaders/beurocrats lining their pockets on our behalf ... However, for now this is just a dream
That may well be true in an ideal world, but we're all currently shaped by our particular cultural experiences, whether we wish it or not.
I dont feel like i am part of europe... i think its because as was previously stated, we do live on a island. The physical barrier from mainland europe also enhances the mental barrier... when i go to europe, unlike how a lot of people think, i AM going abroard.... im branching out to a new place. Britain is so distant culturally to even the closest of the european mainland countries and although many are scared of this i find it intruiging.
Absolutely. Difference only becomes a problem when we see it as something to fear rather than celebrate.
Some interesting points made, I however also living on an Islands would consider myself and Irish-European. Although I think it has only been possible for me an others to feel like this since the major improvement in communication and travel, for example Brussels is a mere hours flight away and tickets can be as cheap as €20 or less. I also agree about Britian being very culturally different I think you'll find alot of places on the continent are extremely culturally different aswell.
No geographically it is an offshore island. Europe reffers to the continent of Europe an unbroken land mass. Incidently as there is no sea between Europe and Asia, Europe could be considered part of Asia as both form on huge unbroken land mass. Historically Europe was considered seperate because the people their were white skinned, while the people of Asia were dark or yellow skinned.
Geographically we are more part of Europe than we are socialogically. The comparative lack of depth to the sea between Britain and mainland Europe means that we are part of the same continental land mass, which also includes Asia (Hence Eurasia)
It was only a few thousand years ago that it woul still have been possible to walk across what's now the channel.
Quote: Originally Posted by DoktorAtomik It was only a few thousand years ago that it woul still have been possible to walk across what's now the channel. <breaks into a punk rendition of Johnny Cash's 'Five feet high and rising'! >
