Title Religion and the struggle for European union : confessional culture and the limits of integration / Brent F. Nelsen and James L. Guth

Published Washington, DC : Georgetown University Press, [2015] ©2015

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Description 1 online resource Series Religion and politics series Religion and politics series. Contents Framework -- Culture and integration -- Confessional cultures -- Common roots -- Reformation and reaction -- Political movements -- Constructing a new Europe -- Postwar preparation -- Catholic construction -- Protestant resistance -- Divided Europe -- Member states and elites -- Political groups -- European identity Summary Nelsen and Guth contend that religion, or "confessional culture," plays a powerful role in shaping European ideas about politics, attitudes toward European integration, and national and continental identities in its leaders and citizens. Catholicism has for centuries promoted the unity of Christendom, while Protestantism has valued particularity and feared Catholic dominance. These confessional cultures, the authors argue, have resulted in two very different visions of Europe that have deeply influenced the process of postwar integration. Catholics have seen Europe as a single cultural entity that is best governed by a single polity; Protestants have never felt part of continental culture and have valued national borders as protectors of liberties historically threatened by Catholic powers. Catholics have pressed for a politically united Europe; Protestants have resisted sacrificing sovereignty to federal institutions, favoring pragmatic cooperation. Despite growing secularization of the continent, not to mention the impact of Islam, confessional culture still exerts enormous influence. And, the authors conclude, European elites must recognize the enduring significance of this Catholic-Protestant cultural divide as the EU attempts to solve its social and economic and political crises Bibliography Includes bibliographical references and index Notes Print version record Subject Religion and politics -- European Union countries Christianity and politics -- European Union countries Christianity and culture -- European Union countries Group identity -- European Union countries POLITICAL SCIENCE -- Political Process -- Political Advocacy. RELIGION -- Religion, Politics & State. UE/CE Intégration. Identité européenne. Religions. Pluralisme culturel. Intégration sociale. Christianity and culture Christianity and politics Group identity Politics and government Religion and politics SUBJECT European Union countries -- Politics and government Subject European Union countries Form Electronic book Author Guth, James L., author. ISBN 9781626160712 1626160716

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