Brexit - the New European Meme

Nearly one year after the referendum in Greece which offered the country a way out from the EU austerity[1], Britain has officially decided to leave the Community[2].

Thus, two facts become evident: the choice to exit the Union is possible for financially stable member states and such decision is firmly driven by political and economic motives of power[3].

Not the Domino but the Postcolonial Effect

Sadly, Brexit can be considered as a sign of break the salvation bubble that has appeared in Europe with the financial crisis in 2008[4] and which has been partly associated with the perspective that the Western European countries have long forgotten their imperial matter[5].

Briefly after the Referendum, the far-right leaders of Denmark, France, Germany, Netherlands and Sweden congratulated Britain for its act of independence while in other parts of Europe such as Greece and Italy the British decision has been taken as opportunity to lay a critique on Brussels[6]. Such political sentiments and lack of compassion to the current immigration crisis in EU only increases the public distrust in the overall performance of the European political elites[7].

Will Europe find its next Meme?

Similarly to the Internet users who are frequently in search of unique path to the hall of digital fame through the imply of various socially grasping meme genres[8], Britain attempts to find is creative way to communicate its political and economic standpoint to the European and globally intended audiences.

Such initiative appears to be quite hasty, especially in times when both citizens and foreign partners are concerned about the erasing challenges which stand in front global democracy and pluralism[9].

Besides, Brexit not only have demonstrated the still leading conservative public standpoint of the older British population over the youth[10] but it will also impose difficulties on the creation of new cross border and immigration legislation as well as the improvement of domestic and labour affairs[11].

[1] Menton, J. “Greek Referendum 2015: Greek Voters Reject Bailout Offer, Vote ‘No’ On Creditors` Demands”, International Business Times, May 2015, <http://www.ibtimes.com/greek-referendum-2015-greek-voters-reject-bailout-offer-vote-no-creditors-demands-1996216> (25.06.2016)

[2] Erlanger, S. “Britain Votes to Leav E.U.; Cameron Plans to Step Down”, The New York Times, June 2016, <http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/25/world/europe/britain-brexit-european-union-referendum.html?_r=0> (25.06.2016)

[3] Wilks-Heeg, S. “How Leave won the battle for Brexit – there key reasons behind the shock success”, Echo, June 2016, <http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/how-leave-won-battle-brexit-11518538> (25.06.2016)

[4] “Crash course”, The Economist, Sept 2013, <http://www.economist.com/news/schoolsbrief/21584534-effects-financial-crisis-are-still-being-felt-five-years-article> (25.06.2016)

[5] Göttsche, D. & Dunker, A. (2014), (Post) Colonialism across Europe, Germany: Aisthesis Verlag

[6] Olterman, Ph. Et al. “European far right hails Brexit vote”, The Guardian, June 2016, <https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jun/24/european-far-right-hails-britains-brexit-vote-marine-le-pen?CMP=share_btn_tw> (25.06.2016)

[7] “Record 60% of Europeans ‘tend not to trust’ EU”, EurActiv.com, June 2013, <http://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/record-60-of-europeans-tend-not-to-trust-eu/> (25.062016)

[8] Shifman, L. (1974), Memes in Digital Culture, Cambridge: MIT Press

[9] Gauette, N. & Collinson, S. “Why the U.S. is freaked out about Brexit “, CNN, June 2016, <http://edition.cnn.com/2016/06/24/politics/donald-trump-brexit-scotland-press-conference/> (25.06.2016)

[10] Goulard, H. “Britain`s youth voted Remain”, Politico, June 2016, <http://www.politico.eu/article/britains-youth-voted-remain-leave-eu-brexit-referendum-stats/> (26.06.2016)

[11] O`Connor, S. & Vina, G. “What will Brexit mean for immigration?, The Financial Times, June 2016, <http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a874de26-34b2-11e6-bda0-04585c31b153.html#axzz4CZrnBwQX> (25.06.2016)

#Brexit #europe #Politcs