What values and political priorities make Europeans distinct from the rest of the world?

Question

“United in diversity” is the motto of the European Union. What this motto means in terms of Europe’s positioning in the world, however, is for Europeans to determine.

So what values and political priorities make Europeans distinct from the rest of the world?

For more information read the Answers team blog: http://uk.blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-qT1KKPQoRKdVT4lowpJCljbFokkuIzI8?p=2713

Answer 1

Finding a balance between a realistic economic policy and taking care of those in need in Europe and around the world.Freedom and social justice.
Europe can be proof you can be prosperous without relying on exploitation or accepting poverty

Set an example in human rights and promote and defend them globally,including seeking an end to capital punishment,defending,promoting and fighting for women and gay rights around the world.

Europe can be the voice of reason in a world that needs reason

Answer 2

I think Switzerland would be better. They have the most direct democracy. They have a process where citizens can challenge bad laws by collecting 100,000 petition votes. Then the law is placed on a ballot to be voted on by the people. Also there are 4 major parties versus the 2 major parties we have. I think these would help prevent some of the corporate/lobbyist influences that have hurt the U.S. like the energy companies like Enron helping the Vice President to write the energy policies of our country for example. I think the more input by regular people and the less corporation/lobbyist input the better the government is.

Answer 3

At least part of the European Union is distinct in so highly valuing its social security system and health services that it seeks to share it with the rest of the world. That makes us pretty distinct, and united with the rest of the world!

Answer 4

Eu politicians do what they want to do, not what the European public wants. One only has to look at the E.U constitution through the back door to see that. Europeans are distinct because their Democracy is moving towards a Dictatorship and most countries are trying to do the opposite.

Answer 5

"United in diversity”?

If we can keep sight of that fact and realise that we are as diverse a continent as any, then the E.U. is great. I fear that this gradual forced conformity will be to all our undoing.

We are after all INDIVIDUAL countries with INDIVIDUAL cultures.

I'm asking for less European intervention in individual countries affairs.............falling on deaf ears unfortunately

Answer 6

As usual, there has been the petty Euro Sceptic comments from a few contributors accusing the EU of being 'communist' and 'totalitarian'.

Yet elections for MEPs were held in 2003! What short memories EuroSceptics have!

Answer 7

There is no singular European Identity yet (although I know you are desperate for one)

Your question is far to detatched from reality to be answerable

Answer 8

The EU can only be described as a Communist Utopian Situation.

The Commies have got, or are getting, what they have always wanted without firing a shot as you might say. It is about as democratic as the old Politburo in the old Soviet Union.

The Commission is an unelected body of mainly failed politicians, who wield massive powers over millions of peoples lives. Take Peter Mandelson, this man should have gone to prison for what he did and if it wasn't for the fact that Tony Blair had Scotland Yard in his pocket, he would have been.

Then there was old windbag himself, Neil Kinnock, and it didn't take his wife long to realise there was a fortune to be made. Glynis knows a bargain and they even employed their son.

The sooner it collapses or UK gets out, the better for us. It is costing us all a vast fortune every day,

Answer 9

The motto for the EU ..... "United in Diversity" — a perfect nonsense phrase . "United in Diversity" means precisely . . . nothing...
I'm English................The motto of England and the Sovereign?
" Dieu et mon Droit "

Answer 10

Well lets see,

1.Europeans killed 80 million people in the last 100 years.

2. Europeans still have genocides, but then so does Africa, so that one won't set them apart.

So I guess it has to be that Europeans have slaughtered more people worldwide in the last 100 years, than the rest of mankind has in the history of earth.

Answer 11

I have to agree with the above comments from justgoodfolk about human rights.

Europeans also value our individuality. Despite stories to the contrary, we in the UK are able to keep our miles, inches and pounds (both money and weight).

The Germans are allowed to be as arrogant as they like, the French as rude... (Please do not report this as this is a joke.)

While many other countries value democracy, it is amongst the countries of the EU that social justice and welfare are also valued. It is great that the EU cares for those who are not able to look after themselves, in health care for example (in most countries). We did not have seggregation like in the USA and South Africa.

Most European countries also are against corruption, and most Europeans dislike the corruption that is present in (parts of) the EU.

I am proud to be British, and glad we are in Europe.