Why we need European cultural policies: the impact of EU ...

Introduction Quotes like this are often used as to ornamenttexts about European integration, but the fact is that, from the very beginning, culture as a fieldhas been marginalized in a majority of studies about European integration as well as in the eyes ofthose determining priorities at the European level.In most current debates about European integration, culture remains an abstract term, often usedto illustrate how European integration brings more than economic benefits. It is commonplaceto read or hear statements declaring that an economically, monetarily and politically integratedEuropean space will confirm a centuries-old European identity, respect for common values andcommon European cultural heritage, which have all been foundations for the development ofmodern European states.The significance of cultural policy-makingEven though culture is said to be so fundamentally important, the European Union has neverexplicitly formulated its cultural policy. Culture and cultural policies were not considered prioritiesduring the first period of European integration and were discussed only in the later phases.Even though most member states still reject the idea of formulating `common cultural policy’ andinsist on respect for the principle of `subsidiarity’,5 there has also been a consensus in favourof establishing a certain degree of cooperation in the cultural field, because many issues requireEuropean-level coordination.While debates still focus mainly on the need for European cultural policy, at the same time it ispossible to claim that a de facto European cultural policy already exists, even if it is not yet clearlyarticulated. Provisions from various common policies have an impact on culture, including bothpolicies that refer specifically to culture and those that have a more indirect impact on culture. Anumber of published studies have shown that cultural policies depend on, and are influenced by,provisions and rules arising from other spheres of public policies.6Topics in this category include:■ obstacles to the mobility of artists■ cultural industries■ analysis of employment opportunities across Europe■ tax systems■ copyright■ the liberalization of marketplaces.Introduction11