building the 'european community'; was Re: The National Question. (redux)

[rc-am]

Maureen wrote:

>In eastern Europe, ethnic problems have arisen
>_with_ free market capitalism and the erosion of safety nets.



well put.

not much to add to this.  an extract from Etienne Balibar's essay 'The
Nation Form':

"One might seriously wonder whether in regard to the production of
fictive ethnicity, the 'building of Europe -- to the extent that it
will seek to transfer to the 'Community' level functions and symbols
of the nation-state  --  will orientate itself *predominantly* in the
direction of the idealisation of European demographic identity'
conceived mainly in opposition to the 'southern population' (Turks,
Arabs, Blacks)."  [from Balibar and Wallerstein,  _Race, Nation,
Class_, {1988}  Eng. ed 1991]

perhaps we need to shift our attention, as Dennis and some others have
been advising, from the US and 'the Balkans' to Europe and, following
Balibar, to think of the ways in which this war is that which will
finally provide Europe (an idealised and hence racialised Europe) with
its millennial and violent birth.

what better way to enact this idealised community than through a
shared sacrifice on the battlefield and a shared racism.

angela