Anti-Europeanism
Encyclopedia
Anti-Europeanism refers to rejection of the culture of Europe
and Europeanisation
, sentiments, opinions and discrimination against European ethnic groups
, and criticism of policies of European governments and the European Union
. In practice, a broad range of attitudes and actions critical of or opposed to specific European countries or Europe generally have been labeled anti-Europeanism.
Many anti-European attitudes are related to political foreign policy
differences, either those of the EU or those of one or more European countries, and then broaden opposition to unrelated aspects associated with European society. When several European governments did not support the 2003 invasion of Iraq
, their refusal prompted criticism from politicians and columnists in the United States. In these cases, anti-European attitudes also reflected domestic policy
concerns about the possible results if European policies were to be adopted there.
Interpretations of anti-Europeanism have often been polarized. There is no agreement on whether the term is justified only if it implies systemic opposition to Europe as a whole, or whether it can be accurately applied to isolated stereotypes and criticisms, perhaps only of one or two European countries. Nor is it clear whether the anti-Europeanism label is sometimes used to dismiss any censure of European policies as irrational.
Some aspects of anti-Europeanism, in the United States
and elsewhere, are rooted in the history of colonialism
and its impact and aftermath
in former European colonies.
Anti-Europeanism is distinct from Euroscepticism
, which refers to uneasiness with some EU policies. Its opposite concept is Europhilia.
Culture of Europe
The culture of Europe might better be described as a series of overlapping cultures. Whether it is a question of North as opposed to South; West as opposed to East; Orthodoxism as opposed to Protestantism as opposed to Catholicism as opposed to Secularism; many have claimed to identify cultural...
and Europeanisation
Europeanisation
Europeanisation refers to a number of related phenomena and patterns of change:*The process in which a notionally non-European subject adopts a number of European features...
, sentiments, opinions and discrimination against European ethnic groups
European ethnic groups
The ethnic groups in Europe are the various ethnic groups that reside in the nations of Europe. European ethnology is the field of anthropology focusing on Europe....
, and criticism of policies of European governments and the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
. In practice, a broad range of attitudes and actions critical of or opposed to specific European countries or Europe generally have been labeled anti-Europeanism.
Many anti-European attitudes are related to political foreign policy
Foreign policy
A country's foreign policy, also called the foreign relations policy, consists of self-interest strategies chosen by the state to safeguard its national interests and to achieve its goals within international relations milieu. The approaches are strategically employed to interact with other countries...
differences, either those of the EU or those of one or more European countries, and then broaden opposition to unrelated aspects associated with European society. When several European governments did not support the 2003 invasion of Iraq
2003 invasion of Iraq
The 2003 invasion of Iraq , was the start of the conflict known as the Iraq War, or Operation Iraqi Freedom, in which a combined force of troops from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland invaded Iraq and toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein in 21 days of major combat operations...
, their refusal prompted criticism from politicians and columnists in the United States. In these cases, anti-European attitudes also reflected domestic policy
Domestic policy
Domestic policy, also known as public policy, presents decisions, laws, and programs made by the government which are directly related to all issues and activity within the country....
concerns about the possible results if European policies were to be adopted there.
Interpretations of anti-Europeanism have often been polarized. There is no agreement on whether the term is justified only if it implies systemic opposition to Europe as a whole, or whether it can be accurately applied to isolated stereotypes and criticisms, perhaps only of one or two European countries. Nor is it clear whether the anti-Europeanism label is sometimes used to dismiss any censure of European policies as irrational.
Some aspects of anti-Europeanism, in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and elsewhere, are rooted in the history of colonialism
History of colonialism
The historical phenomenon of colonisation is one that stretches around the globe and across time, including such disparate peoples as the Hittites, the Incas and the British. European colonialism, or imperialism, began in the 15th century with the "Age of Discovery", led by Portuguese and Spanish...
and its impact and aftermath
Impact and evaluation of colonialism and colonization
Colonialism is the policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically. Historically, this has often involved killing or subjugating the indigenous population...
in former European colonies.
Anti-Europeanism is distinct from Euroscepticism
Euroscepticism
Euroscepticism is a general term used to describe criticism of the European Union , and opposition to the process of European integration, existing throughout the political spectrum. Traditionally, the main source of euroscepticism has been the notion that integration weakens the nation state...
, which refers to uneasiness with some EU policies. Its opposite concept is Europhilia.
See also
- Anti-British sentimentAnti-British sentimentAnti-British sentiment is prejudice, fear or hatred against the British Government, the culture or the people of the United Kingdom, or its Overseas territories.-Argentina:...
- Anti-German sentimentAnti-German sentimentAnti-German sentiment is defined as an opposition to or fear of Germany, its inhabitants, and the German language. Its opposite is Germanophilia.-Russia:...
- EuropeanismEuropeanismAlthough this term is occasionally used to describe support for European integration , it is more commonly used in relation to the idea that Europeans have common norms and values that transcend national or state identity, that have been promoted most actively...
- EurocentrismEurocentrismEurocentrism is the practice of viewing the world from a European perspective and with an implied belief, either consciously or subconsciously, in the preeminence of European culture...
- EuroscepticismEuroscepticismEuroscepticism is a general term used to describe criticism of the European Union , and opposition to the process of European integration, existing throughout the political spectrum. Traditionally, the main source of euroscepticism has been the notion that integration weakens the nation state...
- Eurotrash (term)Eurotrash (term)Eurotrash is a derogatory term used in North America for Europeans, particularly those perceived to be arrogant, affluent, and expatriates in the United States....
- FrancophobiaFrancophobiaFrancophobia or Gallophobia are terms that refer to a dislike or hatred toward France, the People of France, the Government of France, or the Francophonie...
- Old EuropeOld EuropeOld Europe is a term that was first used by then-U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld in January 2003 to refer to European countries that did not support the 2003 invasion of Iraq, specifically France and Germany...
- Pan-Europeanism
- Freedom friesFreedom friesFreedom fries is a political euphemism for French fries used by some people in the United States as a result of anti-French sentiment during the controversy over the U.S. decision to launch the 2003 invasion of Iraq. France expressed strong opposition in the United Nations to such an invasion...