This study examines the concept of a general European identity. First, the underlying concept of ‘identity’ in the European socio-political context will be defined and elaborated in its different levels and peculiarities. Second, the study addresses the various theories of Europeanisation as they mirror the current state of the scientific debate. The essay concludes by extracting the additive of the concept of ‘identity’ for Europeanisation theories.
The European Union (EU) faces a dilemma: While life and politics of the European citizens become more and more Europeanised, the emergence of a European identity seems to fail. People all over Europe cannot identify with the idea of European unification as a whole, although this might spread peace, freedom and welfare. On the other hand, if the EU or its citizens themselves would be able to create European ‘imagined community’, by whatever means, the split between both concepts would be overcome. But how is the concept of ‘identity’ then connected to Europeanisation processes?
The main argument here is that ‘identity’ still is an underestimated object of Europeanisation theories, but that the rise of hybrid identities, and with it the manifestation of Europeanised national identities instead of a European identity all over Europe, holds the explicit potency to establish the missing relationship between European citizens and EU politics. This would lead suddenly to a strengthened legitimization of European Union policies as well as people´s belief in the justification of a supranational polity within a system of multi-level governance.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Concepts of ‘identity’ in Europe
2.1 Spheres of identity in the European Union
2.2 Towards a European identity?
2.3 Criticisms of identity formation in the EU
2.4 European citizenship: Any effect on identity?
3 Theories of Europeanisation and European identities
3.1 Three major approaches
3.2 Multi-level governance and the missing link to identity
3.3 Identity and Legitimacy in the European polity system
4 Conclusion
5 Bibliography
Research Objectives and Themes
This research paper examines the relationship between the concept of "identity" and theories of Europeanisation. It investigates why the European Union has struggled to foster a collective European identity despite the deepening of political and social integration, and analyzes how "hybrid identities" might serve as a missing link to improve the legitimacy of European policies within a multi-level governance system.
- The discrepancy between Europeanisation processes and the emergence of a European identity.
- The role of multi-layered and hybrid identities in the European context.
- Critiques of top-down approaches to identity formation by EU institutions.
- The connection between identity, legitimacy, and the democratic deficit of the EU.
- The potential for "unity in diversity" as a catalyst for future European integration.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1 Spheres of identity in the European Union
Although the scientific literature on ‘identity’, also and above all in the context of an emerging European Union, is vast, the concept remains rather vague and discursive. Identity is not a one-dimensional self-characterization of an individual, but consists of multiple layers. Personal identity as the inner consistence of a person (Kohli 2000, p.155) will not be taken into consideration here as it is not an expression of socio-political and collective belonging to a certain group. Instead, the latter superior concept of identity are of interest. Social identity, understood as the embedding of the individual in interaction processes with other individuals leading to the identification of them as well as by them (ibid.), is never unique. Every single person lives in various social positions, fulfils different social commitments or is involved in social actions and is likely to be a member in multiple social groups, may it be the church choir, sports clubs or political parties. Rather than speaking of the identity, people possess several hybrid identities ranging from the local and regional level to the national, occasionally transnational and finally the European level (Hooghe and Marks 2005, p.423; Risse 2001, p.201). European identity today is often seen as a desirable outcome of Europeanisation processes, although the national identity still captures the priority position as people associate with it their cultural and socio-political heritage within a given territory. (Smith 1992, p.58) The question thus raises, why the nation state apparently succeeded in community-building while the EU seems to be incapable to do so.
Chapter Summaries
1 Introduction: This chapter highlights the dilemma between increasing Europeanisation and the lack of a shared European identity, defining the central argument that identity is an underestimated factor in legitimizing EU policies.
2 Concepts of ‘identity’ in Europe: This section explores the nature of social and multi-layered identities and evaluates historical attempts by the EU to construct a shared identity through top-down policies and citizenship.
2.1 Spheres of identity in the European Union: This chapter defines social identity as a multi-layered construct, noting that individuals possess hybrid identities that encompass local, regional, and national levels alongside the European level.
2.2 Towards a European identity?: This chapter reviews the historical periods of identity-building in the EU, from the focus on shared cultural heritage to the introduction of European citizenship.
2.3 Criticisms of identity formation in the EU: This section examines scholarly arguments suggesting that European identity formation is difficult due to the lack of traditional stimulants like a common language or shared history.
2.4 European citizenship: Any effect on identity?: This chapter analyzes whether EU citizenship, as a legal status, effectively creates a sense of belonging or if it remains disconnected from the identity of the individual.
3 Theories of Europeanisation and European identities: This chapter outlines three main strands of Europeanisation theory and analyzes how each relates to the concept of identity.
3.1 Three major approaches: This section categorizes Europeanisation into top-down, bottom-up, and multi-level governance approaches, evaluating their focus on policy adaptation versus identity shifts.
3.2 Multi-level governance and the missing link to identity: This chapter discusses why the current multi-level governance system struggles to incorporate identity as a central component, creating a problematic gap in domestic support.
3.3 Identity and Legitimacy in the European polity system: This chapter links the absence of a European "demos" to the EU's democratic deficit and explores how collective identity is necessary for political legitimacy.
4 Conclusion: The concluding chapter summarizes the findings, arguing that while a single, supranational identity may not be feasible, "diversified in unity" offers a way to enhance legitimacy.
5 Bibliography: A comprehensive list of academic sources and literature used to support the theoretical framework of the paper.
Keywords
Europeanisation, European Identity, Identity Formation, Multi-level Governance, European Union, Democratic Deficit, Political Legitimacy, Social Identity, Hybrid Identities, Community Building, European Citizenship, Supranationalism, National Identity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper examines the relationship between Europeanisation processes and the concept of identity, specifically addressing why the EU struggles to establish a collective identity among its citizens.
What are the primary themes discussed?
The main themes include the definition of identity in a political context, the critique of top-down identity construction, the relationship between identity and political legitimacy, and the role of multi-level governance.
What is the main objective of the study?
The goal is to demonstrate that identity should be integrated into Europeanisation theories to address the EU's democratic deficit and to better connect European citizens with supranational policies.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The paper utilizes a theoretical and analytical literature review, synthesizing various academic perspectives on Europeanisation, political science, and sociology.
What does the main body of the work cover?
It covers the conceptualization of multi-layered identities, historical attempts at EU community-building, critical perspectives on identity formation, and the link between identity, legitimacy, and the EU's governance structure.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
Key terms include Europeanisation, European identity, multi-level governance, democratic deficit, and hybrid identities.
Why does the author argue that current top-down identity policies have failed?
The author argues that efforts like the European flag or official citizenship fail because they lack the deep-rooted cultural, linguistic, and historical stimulants found at the nation-state level.
What is the significance of the "hybrid identity" concept?
It suggests that individuals do not need to replace their national identity with a European one, but rather that a "diversified in unity" approach can exist where multiple identity layers coexist and support integration.
- Quote paper
- Ron Böhler (Author), 2010, European identity and Europeanisation. Focus on an underestimated topic, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/376553
