WCGS

Abstract:

The Crisis of Religion in Europe: Christianity, Judaism, Islam . . . and Secularism?

James M. Skidmore

Canada, Germany, Europe: Co-operation and Partnership

Ambassador’s Conference, Waterloo Centre for German

Studies

20 September 2007

          Europe is in the middle of an identity crisis in which religion plays a substantial role.

European identity, as summarized in the preamble of the draft constitution for the European

Union, is based on rational secular ideals such as the rule of law, freedom of expression,

safety of the person, and democratic government. Criticism has been raised, however, about

the absence of God and the Christian heritage in this definition. The positions of Jürgen

Habermas and Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI on this question are analyzed as

representative examples of the secular and Christian positions.

          An additional feature of the identity crisis is the rise of Islam in Europe. Non-Muslim

Europe feels threatened by the sharp increase in the Muslim population and the violence and

terrorism associated with this population. The greatest fear, however, is the Islamic sense of

the divine that allows for no separation between religion and politics; in the Islamic worldview,

God is everywhere, and so the Western idea of relegating religion to the private sphere is

incomprehensible. Christians and secularists alike can feel stymied by the intransigence of

his position. Examples of the clash between the Western and Islamic worldviews are

analyzed, and their implications for European identity discussed.

To read Professor Skidmore's Paper, click here

Abstract

Veronica M. Kitchen, PhD.

Department of Political Science

University of Waterloo

           The current NATO mission in Afghanistan is important not just for its effect on the

Afghan people or because Afghanistan’s stability may be key to regional stability, but

because of its implications for NATO’s ability to act together in the future. I identify five

lessons that he NATO member states should learn from the ISAF mission which are

relevant to transforming NATO for the future. First, NATO’s traditional distinction between

in-area and out-of-area interventions is now irrelevant. The lines between mutual defence

and intervention missions are blurred, and as such NATO’s traditional hierarchy privileging

mutual defence missions as the central mission of the Alliance is blurred as well. Second,

this means that NATO needs new rules and conventions which will guide the way the

member states should act in these new missions. Third, in order to develop these

guiding principles, transatlantic exchange and understanding must be fostered now as

much as they were during the Cold War. Developing them will be easier if states are

cognizant of each others’ domestic concerns and priorities. Fourth, Iraq matters,

because it preoccupies the United States, which is still the “indispensable ally” when it

comes to large scale military operations. Fifth, NATO must get very good at working with

other organizations which may be better at the political aspects of reconstruction and

stabilization, but which need NATO’s expertise in the military and security aspects. I

conclude that if NATO can learn these lessons, it will remain a valuable tool of transatlantic

cooperation and problem-solving for the NATO allies.

To read Veronica's Paper, click here