MCC Brussels' Frank Furedi: Polarisation here to stay, EU should steer clear of 'values' (euobserver.com)

• Frank Furedi says EU identity politics worsen culture wars.
• Polarisation is permanent; EU should avoid values focus.
• EU should prioritise economy, security, geopolitics over ideology.

"In an interview with MCC Brussels, sociologist Frank Furedi contends that the European Union's embrace of American identity politics has exacerbated a culture war and deepened polarisation across member states. He sees this polarisation as permanent and warns that the EU's emphasis on 'European values' often inflames conflicts rather than uniting. Furedi recommends the EU concentrate on economic, security, and geopolitical challenges instead of engaging in symbolic culture wars. He criticises the EU's approach to integration as overly ideological and calls for a pragmatic shift."