Product Description

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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #785627 in Books
• Published on: 2000-04-04
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

Customer Reviews

A good read for people questioning todays Europe
Michael Heffernan's The Meaning of Europe gives an analytical view on what Europe is and whether or not its inhabitants share simmilar traits and cultures. The book concentrates on the Geopolitical and geographical context of Europe after the revolutionary 18th century, however, there is some analysis of classical and Christian views of Europe throughout the ages. There is much concentration placed on political ideals such as Nationalism, Communism and Fascism and their effects on the formation of the modern Europe.
This book is a refreshing read with much less emphasis placed on the EU than others that i have read. It includes in some detail the effect of the eastern european countries and allows the reader to question what modern day Europe means to them

a very good read
This book is very clear and concise, allowing the reader to gain a large amount of knowledge on the European project over the past 100 years or so in detail and referance to the european idea prior to that. Heffernan is a very good author, who pulls on a wide range of sources to give a relatively unbiased commentary on modern European history. He pays a lot of attention to the rise and fall of Europes major ideologies in the 20th century - namely facism, liberalism and communism, he speaks of some of the key geopolitical ideas, writings and authors, that sustained and purpetuated these political ideologies prior and after to WWI and WWII. He relates this to how we see europe today and where Europes future lies. There is refreshingly little on the role of the EU that you find in other books around this area.
A wide ranging tour de force of European history in an impressively cohesive and readable manner. A useful read for history and geography, but also general interest around Europe - a topical issue and the ideas that surrounded the World Wars till today.

I would highly recommend