ABSTRACT
European dominance in the modern world was by no means determined five hundred years ago, but a potent mix of geographical, historical, political, cultural, and economic advantages has enabled Europe to put its stamp on global development to this day. Europe has different and often conflicting geographic, historical, political, ethnic, and cultural definitions. Liberal democracy is a system of government that institutionalizes majority rule and equality under the law. Nationalism has been the historical enemy of liberal democracy in Europe. Lord Tennyson immortalized the futile British "Charge of the Light Brigade" during the Crimean War against Russia in similar romantic style. World War I was the catalyst for rapid and radical political change in Europe. The European Union (EU) is a liberal answer to Europe's long tradition of national conflict. Terrorism today is mainly associated with the Middle East, but Europe has a long history of terrorist activities to demand political rights.
