Pan-European nationalism is also known as far-right ultra-nationalism. It was created from a combination of prevailing Euroscepticism, European political parties and various political groups that sought to strengthen the power of the European Parliament.
This form of European nationalism requires a strong association with a pan-European identity. The National Party of Europe was a significant contributor to the success of this nationalism. It disintegrated in the 1970s.
This type of nationalism was thought to be the basis of the critical values needed to make Europe successful. It encompassed theories and beliefs believed to be essential for nation-forming.
History of Pan-European Nationalism
Oswald Mosley was a highly regarded official in the British Union of Fascists. He was eventually elected to lead the party and carried the Union Movement toward making “Europe a Nation”. This was the party’s political policy message from 1948 to 1973.
The concept of European Pan Nationalism began to flourish in 1950 when their leader Mosley co-founded the European Social Movement. This political move gave the party influence through effective collaboration with comparable groups around the European Continent. This initial boost was short-lived and eventually became defunct in 1957. The next stage of the evolution came when the National Party of Europe was formed in 1962. This political association was created by Mosley, who partnered up with the founders of the German nationalist Deutsche Reichspartei. These two groups later recruited the collaboration of the Italian Social Movement and the Mouvement d’Action Civique.
1962 European Declaration
The National Party of Europe made a “European Declaration”. This political moment occurred on the 1st of March 1962. This event was important because it was when the party called for countries to come together and form a European nation-state. The party advocated for a single and shared European government that operates in tandem with an elected European parliament. This party argued the urgency for the American and Soviet forces to be removed from European territory. The declaration also spoke of the need for the United Nations to be dissolved. They wanted a new international body to see the U.S., Soviet Union, and Europe become equal members. European land would be free to travel for citizens of all European nations that do not pledge sovereignty to the Soviet Union, British Isles, and overseas countries.
Modern European Pan-Nationalism
European nationalist organizations have been relatively unpopular since the National Party of Europe was dissolved. Raphael Schlembach has argued within the last ten years that Pan-European nationalism was introduced as anti-Americanism rhetoric. Some scholars claim it resulted from ethno-pluralism and European neo-fascism.
For over a decade, the ideology of European nationalism has been outmaneuvered by hard Euroscepticism.
Current literature argues that the European nationalist groups formed in the 1970s are based on European ethnic federalism. They claim this European culturalism has led to a Eurosceptic turn.
European Parliament
Identity and Democracy grouping is a far-right political group. They operated in the European Parliament and were introduced in 2019 to the Ninth European Parliament. The party’s main contributors include nationalist, right-wing populist and eurosceptic political associations that combine from ten different European nations. There was a political association known as the Europe of Nations and Freedom group. The Eighth European parliament created this. However, it later succeeded.
Why are people talking about Pan-European Nationalism?
European Parliamentary elections have often roused a less significant civic effect on citizens. It is usually considered by citizens to be less important than the elections held in their countries. Citizens often view these events as second-tier national elections. These events have historically failed to garner enough of the electorate.
In recent years, however, Europe political trends have shown that there is a trans-nationalization of the parliamentary elections on the horizon. The political center of Europe is viewed as weak and numerous anti-establishment parties have found their voice across the European continent. There is significant debate around the pan-European policy. These political formations have led to new pan-European parties emerging. This trend gives the impression that Europe is ready to outgrow various historical nationalisms. Europeans have been presented with an opportunity to vote for significantly different political views for the first time in many years. These divergent views have surfaced from veritable pan-European parties.
The new pan-European parties are distinguished from their competitors as they present themselves as traditional Europarties. The most popular of these parties include the European Peoples’ Party and the Socialist Democrats. They have common ideals surrounding the rhetoric they use and the values they carry into agenda-setting. Their party incentives and structures differ from the types found in traditional Europarties. These differ because they are more flexible than national political parties or coalitions of parties. These political formations contain centralized leadership at the European level. They also allow their party to coordinate their political activity in Europe.
Despite the momentum gained by these parties, achieving minimal electoral success will still be challenging. These parties are often disadvantaged and have fewer resources than those with many years of establishment. The well-known and well-resourced national parties usually have a large subscriber base of members. Due to this advantage, they can fundraise and distribute information more effectively. Their main chance of success lies in taking advantage of the particularities found in the European Parliament elections. There are numerous seats that can be gained due to the variation in electoral systems across member states.
Regardless of the results of this election, many Pan-European parties are seen as the future of European politics. These groups are believed to be introducing critical new elements to European politics. This explicitly pan-European political formation has shown the need for citizens to share interests across borders.
