On Feb 3, 2011, at 11:29 AM, Wendy Lyon wrote:
> Whether or not it's "favorable", there doesn't seem to be much
> evidence that it actually exists as an alternative to national
> identity. The latter is as strong as ever in Europe. Some nationalisms
> seem to be growing stronger (Catalunya, Flanders) and new ones are
> emerging (Northern Ireland).
>
> There is a European identity of course, but for the overwhelming
> majority of Europeans* it exists alongside - and ranks below -
> national identity. The idea that these distinctions would wither away
> in the EU looks about as likely now as the idea of successful monetary
> union.
Actually, isn't the EU encouraging "sub-national" identities - increasing movements for regional autonomy, etc.?
Doug