European Identity: Diversity in Union

Abstract

This paper discusses the dynamics of identity within the European Union. The authors describe the necessary preconditions for the development of European Identity; including the value of freedom, equal rights and a re-conceptualization of the concept of solidarity in the context of citizenship. Highlighted are how debates about immigrant rights, the rise of neo-racist movements, and the role of political parties create a sociopolitical context for the reassertion of nation-state power, giving rise to neo-national and neo-communitarian sentiments. In contrast, the construction of European Identity requires the development of intercultural competencies and shared framings of common interests.

Keywords:

• citizenship
• identity
• interculturalism
• nationalism

Notes

2. Touraine, A. Critique de la Modernité; Fayard: Paris, 1992. See also Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedom, EC-HR.; Council of Europe, European Treaties: Rome, 1950.

4. Detailed analyses on these issues will be found in Taylor, 2002; and Tully, J. Introduction. In Multinational Democracy; Gagnon, A.-G.; Taylor, C.; Tully, J., Eds.; Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, 2001, pp. 1–35.

5. On these issues see Roche, M. Citizenship, Popular Culture and Europe. In Culture and Citizenship; Stevenson, N. Ed.; Sage: London, 2002, pp. 74–98, and Pinxten, R.; Verstraete, G. Modernities and Intercultural Communication. In Culture and Power; Pinxten, R.; Verstraete, G., Eds.; Berghahn Publishers: Oxford, 2002, pp. 1–26. See also Lichem, W. Enhancing Societal and Individual Capacities for Plurality. In Limits to Diversity? Implications for Democracy, International Conference, Banff, Canada, 2001.

8. Touraine, 1992.