What is “Europe?”
The question, “What is Europe,” can have many answers depending on what lens you view it through. For some, Europe is defined strictly by its geographical boundaries, the Caucasus and Ural Mountains separating it from Asia in the East, and stretching over to Ireland in the West. There has always been debate, however, about where to draw the boundary line. Should Georgia, Cyprus, Turkey, or Russian be included in the standard definition of Europe? Currently, European states are interchangeable with EU members. Overall uncertainty about what Europe encompasses leads to even greater uncertainty about who can join the EU. According to the EU, Cyprus, Turkey, Russia, and Georgia are not European states but 28 other countries are. The Council of Europe, however, extends membership to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey, putting overall membership at 47 countries. The EU and Council of Europe are not selecting their membership based on purely geographical reasons. The EU, for example, accepts membership based on a series of factors, some of which include upholding four fundamental freedoms.
Related definitions about what Europe is, stem from the post-World War II period. Following the conclusion of the war, there was a strong call for European unity and the notion of “never again,” spread rapidly (Glencross, 23.) Many states which were involved in the war looked for an institutional outlet to solidify their newfound unity. Post-World War II definitions of Europe included those European states dedicated to the expansion of democracy and human rights throughout the continent. This notion of pursuing a European identity and furthering the European cause of democracy lasts to this day, and is upheld with institutions like the EU. Switzerland, Norway, and (soon to be) the United Kingdom, are all non-EU members, but all those states uphold values congruent with the rest of the EU member states and are dedicated to similar ideals, showing maybe there is another definition of Europe that is missing.
The Idea of Europe
Ireland has always been thought of as a traditional European state and is typically included in most standard definitions of Europe. Geographically, Ireland is located in continental Europe, separated from the mainland by the Celtic Sea and the English Channel. Not being directly connected to the rest of Europe could be the reason behind Ireland not exhibiting expected behavior for many other European countries. Ireland and the United Kingdom joined the EU during the 1972 enlargement, to reap the economic and political benefits.
Initially, Ireland was dedicated to retaining its sovereignty. Ireland is one of six members of the EU who is not a part of the Schengen Agreement. The Schengen Agreement was established to abolish border controls and allow for increased coordination with asylum and visa procedures. While initially done outside the bounds of EEC framework, this agreement has now become a part of supranational EU policy making. Ironically, the EU has founding values of allowing the free flowing of goods, people, services, and capital over borders. Ireland agreed to support those values, but would not sign an agreement allowing for ease of people into the county. Ireland remaining an opt-out to this agreement shows its dedication to remain its own country. Moreover, Ireland rejected the Lisbon Treaty and the slogan “Don’t be bullied,” was common among Irish voters (Glencross, 277.) In the end, Ireland ratified the treaty but the resistance voters initially demonstrated showed their unwillingness to be pushed around or agree to a treaty simply because everyone else did.
However, when it became necessary for the survival of their country, Ireland relied on its fellow EU members to rescue them from insolvency during the 2008 financial crisis. The Eurozone stepped in and rescued Ireland from full sovereign default, and Ireland’s history of being a European state allowed for them to saved. Despite holding membership in the EU and other international organizations, Ireland is committed to being an independent state. Ireland’s lack of participation in agreements such as the Schengen Agreement prove that there is more to being considered a European state than geography or shared agreements.
Work Cited:
Glencross, Andrew. The Politics of European Integration: Political Union or a House Divided? Chichester, West Sussex, UK: Wiley Blackwell, 2014.
I think you did a really good job of encompassing all of the aspects of what Europe is defined as. The point you made about the historical aspect of the EU after World War II was also a great addition to how Europe was unified politically by conflict. Your argument for why Ireland has always been viewed as a “traditional” European country also brings up a good point and might be further strengthened if you mentioned why, tieing back into geographic and cultural reasons. The part on how Ireland has always been rebellious in the past brings up an interesting point and you tied the historical aspect into Ireland’s role in the EU very well and brought up relevant examples to support it as well.