Courrier international: Jean-Yves Camus fears the balkanisation of the EU

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In an interview with William Bourton, the French political scientist Jean-Yves Camus expresses his fear of separatist movements in Europe. "The question is not whether there is a collective identity. That is irrefutable in the cases of the Basque country, Catalonia and the Flanders region. The question is whether or not these distinct identities can live with others. Basically, do we want to apply the principle of one land, one people, one language, one state? ... The Catalonia example is striking, with non Catalan-speakers being treated as second class citizens, forbidding them, for example, jobs in the public service. There is a risk of balkanisation in Europe, with each ethnical group wanting its independence. This is a paradox in view of globalisation. The balkanisation prevents the emergence of a European power and plays into the hands of the American super-power. It complicates the integration of people from immigrant backgrounds, fuelling 'ethnicism' and racism."