Do Europeans Suffer from a Superiority Complex?
COMENIUS UNIVERSITY
Faculty of Social and Economy Sciences
Student: Francini Umanzor Segura
Subject: European Union Foreign Policy
Theme: Do Europeans suffer from a superiority complex?
Winter Semester 2011
Introduction The theme of this essay deal with the question do Europeans suffer from a ‘superiority complex’? I mostly make a critic, and explain in which aspects I consider this statement is true. In order to support my though I made use of some readings from our course of European Union Foreign Policy and use some other scholars articles that I found interesting to be mention and highly connected with the topic. The first approach here is whether this attitude of superiority can be justified, since European continent contains one of the oldest civilization and therefore its contributions in art, music and inventions are quite extensive. Although one must remember other cultures like the Turkish one, or the Indians, they also have make important contributions in art or fashion, in the world. The second approach is regarding the definition of the term civilization and how it has been manipulated by some European states to impose their models and power over other nations. Having this idea of superiority and it seems they had a right to conquer others and civilized them. This behavior has been used to criticize the way how some Europeans hold their relations with other countries; the air of superiority is perceived when dealing agreements or political meetings or discussions among European continent with other regions. The last approach is manifested in a different sphere, in political affairs. It is about the European Union as a civilian power, not only within its region but around the world. Taking into account its experience and success with the Community; they want to advice other regions on how to deal with internal conflicts or neighbor disagreements among others things. Besides that good intention and all huge financial support made
Faculty of Social and Economy Sciences
Student: Francini Umanzor Segura
Subject: European Union Foreign Policy
Theme: Do Europeans suffer from a superiority complex?
Winter Semester 2011
Introduction The theme of this essay deal with the question do Europeans suffer from a ‘superiority complex’? I mostly make a critic, and explain in which aspects I consider this statement is true. In order to support my though I made use of some readings from our course of European Union Foreign Policy and use some other scholars articles that I found interesting to be mention and highly connected with the topic. The first approach here is whether this attitude of superiority can be justified, since European continent contains one of the oldest civilization and therefore its contributions in art, music and inventions are quite extensive. Although one must remember other cultures like the Turkish one, or the Indians, they also have make important contributions in art or fashion, in the world. The second approach is regarding the definition of the term civilization and how it has been manipulated by some European states to impose their models and power over other nations. Having this idea of superiority and it seems they had a right to conquer others and civilized them. This behavior has been used to criticize the way how some Europeans hold their relations with other countries; the air of superiority is perceived when dealing agreements or political meetings or discussions among European continent with other regions. The last approach is manifested in a different sphere, in political affairs. It is about the European Union as a civilian power, not only within its region but around the world. Taking into account its experience and success with the Community; they want to advice other regions on how to deal with internal conflicts or neighbor disagreements among others things. Besides that good intention and all huge financial support made
References: a) Cooper, R. (2002): “The New Liberal Imperialism” in The Observer, April 7, 2002 http://observer.guardian.co.uk/worldview/story/0,11581,680095,00.html: Dec 8, 2011. b) Hans Rosling, the European superiority complex. Blog: The art of Dumbspeak. http://thotspeak.blogspot.com/2010/05/european-superiority-complex.html (December 8, 2011) c) Linklater, A. (2005): “A European Civilizing Process?” In Hill, C. and Smith, M. (Eds.): International Relations and the European Union. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 368 d) Superiority complex definition: The Free Dictionary e) Superiority complex definition: Dictionary Online Microsoft Encarta, 2009. [ 1 ]. | Belief in own superiority: an exaggerated sense of being better than other people. (Microsoft Encarta 2009) | 1 2. A psychological defense mechanism in which feelings of superiority counter or conceal feelings of inferiority.(The Free Dictionary. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/superiority+complex, Dec 8, 2011) [ 2 ]