How Diversity Made Europe Strong — and What it Teaches Us

Europe is, there is likely to be broad agreement, characterized by incredible diversity: culturally, socially, economically. This applies at national level anyway, but much more so at regional level. As a result, almost every single region in Europe has its own long history, which has shaped it in each case. And with it, people, how they interact with each other as well as their respective culture, language or dialect, architecture and much more.

Overall, this has created a diversity in Europe that is almost unmanageable. That is why many regard it as a disadvantage in a globalized world in which people are looking for simplicity and orientation. That is only too understandable. It is therefore undoubtedly necessary for Europe to develop a common identity.

However, we should not overlook the fact that this continent is one of the strongest and most successful in the world — and our diversity has made a significant contribution to this. So what are the benefits of diversity, how did they come about — and what does this teach us?

‍

First: The advantage of resilience

Let's remember our history lessons. That's when we learned something about two-field and three-field farming, which took hold around 1,000 years ago. Why had they introduced them back then? It's simple: Because they had learned that always planting with the same plant (so-called monocultures) was not an incredibly good idea in the long run. It is true that this had initially required less work. However, the same plant species quickly leached the soil and the plants bore less and less fruit. In addition, there was the insight that if there was too much monoculture in cultivation, a pest infestation could destroy the entire crop. With correspondingly disastrous consequences for one's own supply. With the potato blight in the middle of the 19th century, our Irish friends lost more than ten percent of their own population to starvation because agriculture was focused solely on potatoes. To this day, this trauma has had a lasting effect on the Emerald Isle.

‍

Or let's take a current example: Thuringia. Or more specifically, the southern Harz there and its bark beetle infestation in the forest. Around 90% of the forest area has now been destroyed. Why Because there is a monoculture in the form of spruce trees there. In other words, it existed. On the other hand, forest areas that are developed as mixed forests (in other words: with diversity) do not have this problem.

‍

A third example, this time from business administration. In simple terms, there is a branch of research here that deals with the question of how companies get into dependencies that can no longer be changed — the so-called path dependency. One of the leading researchers in this field was Prof. Georg Schreyögg from Freie Universität Berlin. With his research, he has been able to show that diversity can help break this path dependency. Why is that so? Because diversity leads to different perspectives — and these can help to question old ways of thinking and contribute new ideas. The result: Better adaptability to change — and thus greater opportunities to survive in a changing world.

‍

At this stage, these three examples should be sufficient to show the findings: Sufficient diversity ensures greater balance and variability. This ensures greater resilience, the so-called resilience against disturbances.

‍

If we look at Europe from this perspective, the result is the following: No matter what regional or national undesirable developments, crises or even disasters there were in Europe, thanks to diversity, they were never able to spread into a Europe-wide conflagration that engulfs and possibly destroys the entire continent and its societies. With our economic and cultural diversity, we have a wonderful, yes: great tool that allows us to be significantly better prepared against harmful influences than would be the case if there was a high degree of homogeneity. And that is something that should give us good self-confidence for everything we are currently experiencing and the challenges and threats we are likely to face.

‍

Second: The advantage of diversity through learning experiences

The second aspect of diversity that has contributed to Europe's strength is that of our resulting expertise and knowledge.

Here too, let us start with a life-like example: Let us imagine two people, each with a toolbox. The first suitcase simply contains a hammer. The second is fully equipped with everything you could possibly need: the hammer, of course, but also various pliers, screwdrivers, a saw, files, a spirit level, a micrometer screw... you understand. Let's now look at the options that these two people have when carrying out repair tasks with their respective suitcases. In the first case, the famous psychologist Abraham Maslow said: “If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to regard every problem as a nail.” Something that, in the case of the second person, is logically completely different, i.e. more differentiated. First, for the next challenge, he has a wider range of tools, i.e. solutions, from the outset. And secondly, he learns an ever more differentiated — and therefore smarter — approach to each challenge, both with the respective tool itself and when choosing the various tools.

In this analogy, Europe clearly has a well-stocked toolbox. In Europe, we also started with hammers alone, for example around 1,000 years ago. And smashed each other's heads in with them.

Over the centuries, Europe has practiced this sufficiently to fight each other. In its centuries of fragmentation, first in the form of principalities, etc., and later in the form of empires, etc., this continent has repeatedly tried to find an advantage in conflict. The result: wars, destruction, suffering and misery over and over again.

‍

But, and that sets us apart from other regions of the world: We have started to reflect on our behavior — and learn from it! At some point, we realized that fighting yourself isn't exactly the best way to live well. It was the English philosopher Thomas Hobbes who described this in 1462 in his work “De Cive” (“From the Citizen”) with the words: “Homo homini lupus” — man is man's wolf.

From this, he then formulated the doctrine that there is a need for an order that organizes coexistence. It's like a tape measure instead of a hammer. Hobbes thus laid one of the foundations for a development that spread in Europe over the following centuries: The examination of the question of how people could live together in an orderly way. The idea of the state, including law as a regulatory instrument, picked up steam. In England with John Locke, in France with Jean-Jacques Rousseau, in Germany with Immanuel Kant and later Max Weber — up to Carl Schmitt, Georg Jellinek and Niklas Luhmann, to name just a few.

‍

Both, the discussions and the reflection on them, are part of our identity. The very clear learning experience from this: Cooperation, freedom, the rule of law and democracy guarantee the absence of war — and great development in peace and prosperity. The European Union is the first institutionalization for this. Is it perfect? No She did not have this claim either. But it was born as a result of one of the worst wars the world has ever seen. And it has brought peace and prosperity wherever countries have become part of it.

‍

It should be briefly mentioned here that the oldest democracy in the world is a European one. Namely the one from San Marino. It dates back to 301. And no, that is not a spelling mistake: Europe is by far the continent with the longest democratic tradition.

‍

In short: By combining practical experience of how misery comes about — and scientific reflection on how things can be done better, we have built up knowledge that is unparalleled in the world. No other continent has such broad and profound knowledge of the question of how to shape an order in order to enable, and ideally guarantee, the orderly coexistence of a society. This applies in all areas of science — and between them: philosophically, legally, sociologically. No other region in the world can fool us here. It is time for us to realize what incredible competence and expertise we have here! And this is particularly important because the world seems to be declaring the hammer the means of choice again. For the reasons mentioned above, we in Europe know that this will only be temporary, because it will not be the path to prosperity and happiness. We should be aware of this again and again and draw our self-confidence from it. And yet, and that is no less important: stand up for them accordingly and defend our values against our enemies.

Third: The advantage of diversity through creativity and innovation

The next advantage of our diversity is directly linked to the previous one, in the form of creativity and innovation that result from diversity.

As an example first: Let's imagine two boxes with building blocks in them. There are two building blocks in one box and 100 in the other. Which box can you use to build more different new things?

Both research and practice in this country are so overwhelmingly clear that they cannot be ignored (although because of their quantity, they can only be touched upon here). Psychology shows that social structures (teams, etc.) with more cognitive diversity are better able to solve complex problems. Companies that promote diversity are more innovative, according to a study by McKinsey. At the economic level, there is research that shows that diverse economies are more resistant to external shocks. At the educational level, greater diversity leads to higher levels of education — and therefore to higher human capital. And once again about Prof. Schreyögg from Freie Universität Berlin: His research has shown that companies that develop so-called dynamic competencies are more competitive, and diversity in teams can promote these dynamic competencies. The same also applies both to the management of knowledge in a company and to the management of uncertainty in social structures.

The remarkable and magical thing about this is that fundamental diversity leads to openness towards others. This creates something new — and in turn increases diversity. A self-sustaining upward spiral (the “virtuous circle”) of diversity, openness, curiosity, creativity and innovation has been created.

‍

In short, diversity has so many different advantages at such different levels that it can not only be described as desirable, but rather as strategically necessary to survive — or even lead — in competition. As a continent that is famous for its diversity, we should keep reminding ourselves of what treasure chest we are sitting on!

‍

The conclusion: A treasure called diversity

Against the background of all of the above, we can state very clearly for Europe: With our diversity, we have assets that we are probably not aware of in their extent — and with which we have great competence: in terms of resilience, knowledge, creativity and innovative potential.

It is now time to become fully aware of this and to fully bring this treasure back to life. With him, we have something unique that has an incredible potential for success.

So let's get to know our “tools” and “building blocks”, let's get to know each other as people in Europe in order to learn from each other and create something new together! Let us become aware of our valuable competencies — and apply them!

The very best thing about this: Once we get together and reap the first fruits of working together in diversity, it will create a great feeling — and make you want more. So let's go, Europe!