Western Europe
Western Europe is distinguished from Central and Eastern Europe by geography and by differences of history and culture. However, these boundaries are subject to considerable overlap and fluctuation, which makes differentiation difficult. The concept of Western Europe is also associated with liberal democracy; its countries are generally deemed to be well within the cultural hegemony of the United States of America.
Up to World War II, "Western Europe" was thought to comprise France, the British Isles and Benelux. These countries represented the democratic victors of both world wars, and their ideological approach was spread further east as a natural consequence.
During the Cold War, when Western Europe designated the democratic countries that were part of NATO and under American influence, the term was often used as a counterbalance to Eastern Europe that was under Soviet influence. Although Finland, Sweden and Switzerland were not formally NATO-allied, with their market economy and democratic institutions dated centuries back, they clearly belonged to the group. The borders between Western and Eastern countries were securely defended, especially on the Eastern side. This border was also called the Iron Curtain.
Until the enlargement of the European Union of 2004, Western Europe was often associated with that Union (possibly with the exception of Greece). Today, the connection to NATO or to the European Union may by many people be perceived as historical, who rather define Western Europe as including the following regions:
- the Nordic countries (Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark)
- the Alpine countries (Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Slovenia)
- the Benelux countries (Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg)
- the British Isles (Ireland, the United Kingdom)
- France and Monaco
- the Iberian peninsula (Spain, Andorra, Portugal)
- the Apennine peninsula (Italy, San Marino, Vatican City)
- in many contexts also Greece and Cyprus
It ought to be borne in mind that the concepts of Europe's division overlap. The Nordic countries being counted to Western Europe does not at all hinder their being considered part of Northern Europe at the same time. Similarly, the Alpine countries may be considered part of Central Europe, and Italy, the Iberian countries, Monaco, Greece and southern France part of Southern Europe as well, as defined by their proximity to the Mediterranean Sea.
Further readings
- Bader, William B. "The Future of Area Studies: Western Europe." Society 22 (May-June 1985): 6-8. EJ 317 736.
- Baker, John A. "The North Atlantic Treaty Organization at 40." Social Education 53 (February 1989): 109-112. EJ 386 460.
- Bruce, Michael G. "Teaching For and About Europe." Phi Delta Kappan 65 (January 1984): 364-66. EJ 291 519.
- Bruce, Michael G. "Europe in European Curricula." Phi Delta Kappan 68 (March 1987): 551-52. EJ 349 197.
- Daltrop, Anne. Politics and the European Community. 2nd edition. New York: Longman, 1986.
- DePorte, Anton W. The Atlantic Alliance at 35. New York: Foreign Policy Association, 1984. ED 270 372.
- Gagnon, Paul. Democracy's Untold Story: What World History Textbooks Neglect. Washington, DC: American Federation of Teachers, 1987. ED 313 268.
- Hallstein, Walter. Europe in the Making. London: George Allen and Unwin, 1972.
- Metcalf, Fay, and Catherine Edwards.Materials for Teaching about Europe: An annotated Bibliography for Educators. Washington, DC: Atlantic Council of the United States, 1986. ED 272 439.
- Schuchart, Kelvin. "The European Economic Community." Social Studies 77 (January-February 1986): 19-22. EJ 335 130.
- Shennan, Margaret. "Goals for Teaching About Europe." The Social Studies 77 (January-February 1986): 8-12. EJ 335 127.
- Stillwell, Neil C. Teaching about Western Europe: A Resource Guide. Bloomington, IN: ERIC Clearinghouse for Social Studies/Social Science Education, 1988. ED 302 494.
See also
