The European Crisis. Interpretations and answers.

In this very beginning of the XXIth century crisis seems to be the more appropriate clue for Europe. The word crisis, itself, that indicates the acute instability status of a community living conditions whit long-lasting effects (more or less serious), describes better than others (such as change, evolution, revision, transformation, etc.) the growth of the European system. This could probably seem a contradiction: crisis and growth, at the same time. In one way, past events have displayed the limits of European action, as shown by the European Union 2004 constitutional crisis, that also held the problems arisen with the second Gulf war. Moreover, the influence of migration and terrorism issues on European events cannot be ignored, as well as the 2008/2010 financial crisis effects. All these events, however, raised the question of Member States welfare state acquisitions and of the Union capabilities to develop a real foreign and security common policy, as the recent Libyan events confirm. Anyway, all the fractures and discontinuity periods did not prevent the process of stability, unification and growth of the old continent to restart. In particular, the configuration of a Union which refers to cultural, religious and humanistic heritage, and its organization based upon European citizenship which constitutes a considerable element of unification, partly opposed by the nationalistic culture, not very generous and rather blind of Member States. The values that give back to Europe an effective and prominent role are derived from its tradition, firstly religious and also cultural. These values are advocated from Europe itself: "respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities". Values that are claimed "common to the Member States", but that they now find expression "in a society in which pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality between women and men prevail" (art. 2 TUE): precisely, the European society and the Europe of citizens.