The European Union of States: Geopolitics and Values
Monday 1st June
Sumpner Lecture Theatre
The activity of the historian is a modest one: writing accounts of the past, based on the evidence of the past, whose meaning is imparted through the coherence of the story’s telling. This activity makes for no lessons for the future, but it may provide us with a better knowledge of where we stand in the present.
A case in point is European integration. The European Union, which is not a federal state, may be viewed as a highly organised “society of states”. The member states seek to enhance their own interests, while being bound by a shared sense of values. To take the EU’s three leading powers—Britain, France and Germany—their respective roles in contributing to the shaping of the European continent have varied considerably since the middle of the twentieth century. This lecture will examine the past sixty years and point to certain factors weighing on the future—for instance, the constraints on the ambition of any one state to assume a dominant leadership role within the EU.
Professor Michael Sutton will also examine the commonality of values underpinning the enterprise of European integration. The complicated history of these values is often misunderstood. He will argue that a basic, adequate understanding of this intellectual history is required if a sense of sharing in values is not to be lost.
This lecture is free to attend and open to all. The event starts at 6.30pm. There will be tea and coffee from 5.30pm. A buffet will follow the lecture.
Please email events@aston.ac.uk to book a seat. For further information about this event please contact Jean Hasson at j.hasson@aston.ac.uk
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