Dynamics in European Political Identity

Abstract

The creation of a political community is a difficult yet vital task for the European Union. Using Eurobarometer time series of 25 years and the European Election Study of 2004, this article reviews the state of the development of a ‘sense of community’ with regard to two concepts: Identity is measured in terms of perceived citizenship and pride to be a European citizen; we‐feeling is captured by assessing trust in European people and acceptance of new member countries. A collective identity is growing slowly among the European citizens, but the data suggest a center–periphery distinction between the core members and the joiners of the different enlargement waves. EU citizens trust each other, but the East–West continental divide still remains detectable.

Key Words:

• European Union
• political community
• sense of community
• identity
• we‐feeling
• enlargement

Notes

1. This is an updated and revised version of a chapter that was originally published by the first author (Scheuer 1999).

2. This is not to say that states must be linguistically homogeneous; Belgium and Switzerland are obvious examples of nation‐states that are not. However, in order to meet democratic requirements, every citizen must be able to communicate with state authorities in his or her own language (Bundesverfassungsgericht 1993, 438). This implies in places that there is more than one official language (such as three in Belgium and four in Switzerland).

3. Question wording: ‘Do you ever think of yourself not only as a [nationality] citizen but also as a citizen of Europe? Often, sometimes, never’.

4. Question wording: ‘In the near future do you see yourself as [nationality] only, [nationality] and European, European and [nationality], or European only?’.

5. Question wording: ‘European Union Member States are “European citizens”. Are you personally proud or not to be a “European citizen”? Would you say that you are very proud, fairly proud, not very proud, or not at all proud?’.

6. Question wording: ‘I would like to ask you a question about how much trust you have in people from various countries. For each, please tell me whether you have a lot of trust, some trust, not very much trust, or no trust at all’.

7. Modified question wording: ‘For each, please tell me whether you tend to trust them or tend not to trust them’.

8. Question wording: ‘Now I would like to ask you a question about how much trust you have in people from various countries. Can you please tell me for each, whether you have a lot of trust of them or not very much trust. If you do not know a country well enough, just say so and I will go on to the next. How about the Austrians: do have a lot of trust of them or not very much trust?’.

9. In order to avoid distortion through composition effects, over‐time changes are calculated on the basis of EU‐15 countries only.

10. Question wording: ‘For each of the following countries, would you be in favour or against it becoming part of the European Union in the future?’.