People opposed to supra-national political integration often
cite a “threat against national culture” as their primary reason.
A classical Marxist response is that “national culture” is a political construct designed to protect a ruling social class, rather than a cultural heritage.
Fortunately, once every four years, a far simpler rebuttal to those fearing political integration presents itself.
Tonight Spain plays Italy in the final of the Euro championship hosted in Kiev, Ukraine. Spain and Italy are both members of the European Union, with a shared supranational constitution and an open border policy.
Yet anyone in attendance at the Olympic stadium tonight will be under no illusion that cultural distinctiveness between the nations is alive and well. There may be a common passion for football, but diversity in language, music and cuisine remains along with a strong sense of national pride.
In fact, cultures seem to strengthen and grow from exposure to other cultures. As MK Ghandi said “No culture can live if it attempts to be exclusive”.
Like all things, cultures need to evolve to survive and evolution requires pools of diversity from which newer and better cultural practices can emerge.
Even the cultural explosion of the Renaissance was, in large part, the result of a rising merchant class in Italy stimulating demand for art at the same time as the West established significant contact with the East and global trade lanes expanded.
The belief that "they" will overrun us, or even turn us into "them" is a fear shared by two groups: the ruling class, who want to preserve the status quo, and members of the working class who have been taught to fear change by the ruling class.
A classical Marxist response is that “national culture” is a political construct designed to protect a ruling social class, rather than a cultural heritage.
Fortunately, once every four years, a far simpler rebuttal to those fearing political integration presents itself.
Tonight Spain plays Italy in the final of the Euro championship hosted in Kiev, Ukraine. Spain and Italy are both members of the European Union, with a shared supranational constitution and an open border policy.
Yet anyone in attendance at the Olympic stadium tonight will be under no illusion that cultural distinctiveness between the nations is alive and well. There may be a common passion for football, but diversity in language, music and cuisine remains along with a strong sense of national pride.
In fact, cultures seem to strengthen and grow from exposure to other cultures. As MK Ghandi said “No culture can live if it attempts to be exclusive”.
Like all things, cultures need to evolve to survive and evolution requires pools of diversity from which newer and better cultural practices can emerge.
Even the cultural explosion of the Renaissance was, in large part, the result of a rising merchant class in Italy stimulating demand for art at the same time as the West established significant contact with the East and global trade lanes expanded.
The belief that "they" will overrun us, or even turn us into "them" is a fear shared by two groups: the ruling class, who want to preserve the status quo, and members of the working class who have been taught to fear change by the ruling class.
