The European Identity

Gérard-François Dumont (1)

1 ENeC - Espaces, Nature et Culture

An inventory of the common heritage of the people of Europe stresses the importance of the ties that have developed in the course of history: political ties particularly with the roman influence, religious, cultural or intellectual ties... Indeed, Europe has no definite geographical boundaries which on the contrary proves that it recognises itself more in values than in borders. Following a non linear process of maturation, Europe has given itself four com-plementary values: equality, with its corollary respect of charity, freedom, creativity and open mindness, and division of powers. Gérard-François Dumont shows that European identity results from the capacity to move towards an ideal of common values within the diversity of the genius proper to each of its peoples. It supposes to put aside imperialist and bureaucratic temptations as well as malthusian attempts towards inequality, to better build its future for the service of man.

Mots clés: identity; European identity; cultural geography; inheritance; History: Values; equality; charity freedom; creativity; separation of powers

Mots clés: Identité; identité européenne; géographie culturelle; héritage; Europe; histoire: Valeurs; égalité; charité; liberté; créativité; séparation des pouvoirs

Domaines: Démographie; Géographie; Histoire

Gérard-François Dumont. The European Identity. Europai Füzetek , 2003, pp.57-68. ⟨halshs-01527188⟩