Pro-European
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Pro-European is a subjective term applied to a person who supports the European Union (EU) and/or further European integration, specifically in the context of political argument over the current and future status of the EU and its policies.
Antonyms include eurosceptic, anti-European and the pejorative Europhobe - many who identify with one of these antonyms would describe themselves as "pro-European" in the sense that they are not anti-Europe or anti-EU per se, although they would clearly not identify themselves as being pro-European in the sense described in this article.
The Pro-European approach
Many pro-Europeans believe that strength in unity is particularly important in today's multipolar world. They argue that a united and independent Europe has become increasingly necessary, while a politically divided one would bring disadvantages in many areas, including economic, cultural, political, social, scientific, diplomatic and military.
Pro-European arguments often refer to what they see as the benefits of the EU to its member states, but such 'cost / benefit' assessments are not generally the only arguments to motivate them, as they also feel they belong to a community of people with common bonds.
Although pro-Europeans may not be satisfied with every aspect of the present organization and workings of the EU institutions, they generally argue that the solution to any remaining problems lies not in destroying what has been built, but in pushing for improvements in terms of unity, transparency and democracy.
'Pro-European' vs 'Pro-EU'
Some people have argued that it is too simplistic to conflate the terms 'Europe' and 'EU'. It is argued that the term 'pro-European' should refer to someone who is in favour of European co-operation and cultural interchange in the wider geographical sense (which many eurosceptics say that they are), while 'pro-EU' should be reserved for those who specifically support the broad political agenda involving a "deepening" of the EU. Despite this distinction, 'pro-EU' and 'pro-European' are used interchangeably in informal speech to refer to someone who is positive about the European Union.
Pro-European political parties
Although the situation differs in each member state, in general, most political parties can be considered as being pro-European in varying degrees. The main exeptions being far left, far right and nationalist parties.
In the European Parliament
- European People's Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats
- Party of European Socialists
- Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
- European Greens - European Free Alliance
In the United Kingdom
- Liberal Democrats
- The other two significant parties in the British parliament, Labour and the Conservatives, have varied reactions to European integration. The Conservatives (as of their 2005 manifesto) are officially Eurosceptic, but a significant minority within the Parliamentary party is not. Labour is officially pro-European, and several prominent members of the Cabinet are too. However, Blair's heir apparent Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown has often seemed more eurosceptic than Blair.
In France
- Union pour un Mouvement Populaire ([ French Article])
- Union pour la Démocratie Française ([ French Article])
- Parti Socialiste ([ French Article])
- Les Verts ([ French Article])
See also
- Europatriotism
- Potential Superpowers - European Union
- Europeanist
- Europhile
- Young European Movement
- Britain in Europe
- Europe United
External links
International
United Kingdom specific
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