DEMOCRATIC DIMENSION OF CULTURAL VALUES IN EUROPEAN UNION

The development of political processes in Europe is closely connected with identity problem. Preserving of cultural and ethnic identity under integration considers being one of the most controversial issues. This problem is now examined in the frames of various theories – from multiculturalism to patriotic constitutionalism or union nationalism. There are also several measuring systems of mental and cultural values of various nation including European ones. Geert Hofstede’s concept produced for market purposes is more old and widespread and proposes five indicators for measuring of cultural mentality – Power Distance, Uncertainty Avoidance, Individualism, Masculinity, and Long-Term Orientation. Other scholars or project groups ( F. Trompenaars, GLOBE by R. House, WVS by R. Inglehart) provide another indicator systems in order to correct Hofstede’s scheme or to add some new markers. Almost all of the authors present cultural values which can be examined in democratic framework. Some of the aforesaid cultural indicators openly correlate with democratic values, others need more sophisticated interpretation. The purpose of the proposed presentation is to discuss cultural values in democratic terms and to offer some tentative explanations of state, problems and challenges of democracy in Europe by analyzing appropriate cultural indicators.