The Meaning of Europe

This text provides a critical introductory analysis of the changing political map of Europe, both west and east, from the beginning of the 20th century to the present day. It takes as its principal theme the continuing tension between two rival geopolitical tendencies; on the one hand, the nationalistic forces of disintegration, particularism and localism and, on the other, the transnational impulse towards greater integration, co-operation and even federalism. Its objective is to show how the idea of Europe as a coherent, integrated geopolitical entity has waxed and waned during the course of the last 100 years. The book analyzes the major changes in the political geography of Europe at a variety of scales from the local to the continental. The evolution of the internal political geography of the major European states is assessed alongside the discussion of the more general restructurings of the European political map at different points in the century. It concludes with a discussion of the past, present and future of Europe as a coherent geopolitical force within an increasingly integrated world.