Unlike the US, which was founded on a political cause – opposition to British colonialism – that forged a common national identity, countries joining the European Union sought simply to avoid further warfare on the continent. While laudable, this cause was inadequate to foster a shared European identity.
与美国不同——美国建立在反对英国殖民主义的政治目标基础上，这铸造了共同的国民身份——加入欧盟的诸国只是为了寻求进一步躲避大陆战乱。这当然值得赞赏，但如此目标不足以铸造共同的欧洲身份。相反，它让民族身份坐大了。