The Greek Crisis is about so much more than money

Over the past twenty years, I've lived in two very different European regions and worked extensively across a wide range of European states. I've seen the enormous differences in approach on a day-to-day basis.

The architects' zeal was understandable, yet it left them with a bad case of myopia. In rushing to set up a single currency zone, they simply papered over a number of deep and persistent cracks in the basic fabric of a multifaceted Europe.

Now, whatever the outcome of the current Greek crisis, Europe as a whole will pay the piper. Whatever happens tomorrow, or next week, it will likely be a long time before Greece inspires fiscal trust both within and without its borders.

It might also be a while before Greece finds peace within itself, in terms of the right way forward for its cultural ethics.

Moreover, Europeans may lack the confidence to take any huge steps toward further integration. That, in my view, will not be a bad thing, as Europe still all too often acts like a head that has become detached from its essential soul.

It makes plenty of policy, mountains of it, but it reflects little about the narrative at the core of its identity, its big picture historical destiny and where its values really came from.

From here, European leaders will need to tread wisely when it comes to dealing with other member states facing debt problems. And Europe will need to think much more keenly and seriously on what 'ever closer union' really means.

Going forward, the Greek situation will bring new disagreements to the fore, driven by historic cultural expectations.

Arguments about whether austerity works will doubtless rage on.

Yet one thing will remain axiomatic: if you don't manage what you have, nobody will trust you with more.