On-line journal no. 4 – July 2012 - Modelling the New Europe

On-line Journal Modelling the New Europe
Issue no. 4/2012
THE EUROPEAN UNION’S SYSTEM OF VALUES: A DRIVING
FORCE BEHIND DECISION MAKING AND INTEGRATION
Răzvan Liviu Vuşcan, PhD student
Faculty of European Studies, Universitatea Babeș-Bolyai, Cluj-Napoca,
E-mail address: vuscan_razvan@yahoo.com
Subjects of interest: the system of values in the European Union and around the globe; the values crisis in
the EU; Romanian values.
Abstract:
The following paper casts an overview over the values systems present in the European Union. In this sense,
a brief analysis of the meaning behind the concept of value is conducted from the points of view of sociology,
psychology and philosophy. The origins and evolution of the system of values present at the core of the Union
are also discussed, while also focusing on the system’s impact over decisions taken in regard to the EU’s
expansion and its policies. Finally, the paper emphasizes the necessity of networks such as RICHIE as perfect
means for exchanging ideas, knowledge and increasing awareness on the matter of the EU’s system of
values.
Keywords: values, European Union, decision making, value systems, integration.
It can be safely said that European member states – along with an entire myriad of
countries dotting the globe – currently consider democracy as the best means of
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