Multiple Europes, multiple modernities: Conceptualising the plurality of Europe

Abstract

The question of a plurality of ‘Europes’ raises new questions about the nature of unity and diversity. The argument given in the article is that the problem of unity cannot be jettisoned in favour of diversity, but needs to be conceptualised in a way that includes plurality; accordingly a proposal is made for a theory of modernity that integrates both unity and diversity, which it is argued offers a more useful approach than identity or culture based ones; finally, a brief sketch is provided of this framework with respect to the twentieth century and rival projects of modernity that were a feature of the age. While many examples can be found in the long perspective of European history, the twentieth century was particularly important in shaping the present diversity of Europe and therefore merits special attention.