Does European Identity Exist?

Does European identity exist?

Background and origins of the concept of European identity

The chief architects of EU, European Union believed that a European identity would emerge from the economic cooperation between states, which would eventually emerge into a political integration of sorts. It was believed that the formation of the EU would lead to a convergence of traditions, beliefs, aspirations and values which would form the uniting factor for the people of the European communities. This was believed to be a new form of nationalism, known as new nationalism. In other words, it was intended that the people of the European Union would be bestowed with one united national identity. This concept of new nationalism may be a step forward as far as European politics is concerned; yet, it fails to provide one collective identity for the people of Europe. The revival of concepts like extremism and populism in Europe has given rise to an identity crisis for a number of European states. A large number of European cities at present are being plagued by concepts of globalization and crisis, which forms the linking factor between them. The emergence of concepts like populism and extremism have demolished the collective identity that European leaders that strived so hard to achieve. At this point, the question arises as to whether the European states have a degree of coherence between them and if there even is something called a collective European identity.

The term, “European” refers to the various cultural, historic and geographical factors which contribute to the formation of a collective European identity. It is assumed that the concept of a European identity is based on historical ideas, value and links, without of course, foregoing the national identities. Kaina and Karolewski (2013) are of the opinion that the formation of a European identity is based on the following principles – respect for human rights and dignity, equality, freedom of democracy, tolerance, justice, non discrimination, pluralism and solidarity between the states. Without a doubt, as Kaina (2013) argues, every nation within the European Union maintains its own distinct national identity. The fact that the European states as a whole have a collective identity does not demolish the borders between them. However, despite the fact that European nations have their own identity, there are certain core values which bind them together and form a kind of joint European identity.

The question arises, if such a distinct European identity exists. The underlying principle as far as the European identity is concerned is simple. It is the social underpinning required for any kind of political community to thrive and prosper. In other words, if a polity is to be considered a force to be reckoned with, there has to be one unified, collective identity which has a degree of coherence, a common purpose and finally a disposition of solidarity. Thus, a joint identity is absolutely essential for any polity. Spohn (2016) argues that the concept of European identity would be important for the integration of the whole of Europe, since it would emphasize that individuals and states within Europe would subordinate their parochial interests in order to achieve a common goal which is again based on common values, beliefs and norms. A European identity consists of myriad variables which are linked to cultural and political factors. However, it is important to remember that European Union is not equivalent to European identity. Yet, the development or the integration of a European identity is necessary for the long term success of the European Union.

The formation of a European identity: Principles and challenges

Schmidt (2013) claims that the development of a European identity has numerous dimensions, which depends on the context. From a genera point of view, European identity refers to the sense or feeling of personal identification that an individual feels with Europe, and in a larger context, with the European Union and with the values, cultures and beliefs that the two uphold. In order to understand if a European identity exists, it is first important to critically analyse two issues. One, it is important to understand if the existence or formation of a European identity transcends the individual identity of a person, especially since the latter is dependent on a number of factors like cultural group identity or national identity. Two, it is also important to understand if the integration of the European state leads to the strengthening of the European identity. With respect to the first issue, McCormick (2017) argues that identity is a means for classification of individuals as members of disparate and separate groups. In other words, identity of a person or what he identifies with would determine his beliefs, attitudes and behavioral patterns. Based on this analysis, it can be ascertained that European identity thus refers to self identification with Europe as a whole.  However, this does not mean that the collective identity would surpass or gain upper hand over the individual identity of a person. For example, in Wales, a different set of beliefs and values are adhered to than in the other parts of Europe. Thus, a person who is Welsh by birth, would inculcate these local cultural values and beliefs. Yet, he harbours a European identity as well since they are not in conflict.

Cheneval and Schimmelfennig (2013) argue that most of the policies of the European Union are based on the assumption that a European identity exists and that there is an interaction or interconnection between the European identity and the process of European integration. It is the existence of the European identity which has led to the development of a standard EU democracy. However, as Eriksen and Fossum (2013) argue, there is often a hesitation on parts of certain nations to succumb or submit completely to the idea of one collective identity. European identity or the concept of one unified identity is considered to be detrimental to one’s national identity. For instance, a number of cities and states are not exactly willing to forego of their national identities to adopt a stronger and broader European identity. As a result, the overlapping of these European and national identities has resulted in the need for a stronger individual identity which is based on personal values and beliefs.

Existence and variations of a European identity

With respect to the existence of a European identity, it is also important to understand how the concept varies across the whole of Europe. The notion of a collective identity is different in different parts of Europe. For instance, in Western Europe, the feeling or a sense of belonging and identification with Europe and EU is stronger amongst the citizens than in other parts of Europe. Moreover, the concept of European identity also depends on a number of factors like gender, age, class, caste and so on. These are the factors which determine how a person in any European state perceives EU and European identity or if they are able to identify with it. According to Wodak and Boukala (2015), the concept of a European identity exists. Nevertheless, the notion of such a collective identity is fluid in nature. While some critics have opined that European identity refers to a series of factors which define and explain the economic and political structures of EU, some have claimed that European identity is normative in nature and is based on the common principles and goals which all European citizens share.

Webber (2014) argues that the concept of European identity exists because of the European Union, which would disintegrate without it. The concept of such an identity first emerged back in the 1970s, when the Declaration of European Identity was issued at the Copenhagen summit. The Declaration claimed that Europe had one common underlying principle which was based on common political interests and cultural factors. It was assumed that a collective identity would be stronger than an individual national identity. In modern times however, the concept of European identity is based on a number of cultural and civic factors. The civic factors in this case would refer to the extent to which the citizens identify with Europe and its political institutions, including the laws, rights and rules which concern them. The cultural factors suggest that the individuals from the European nations are closer and more connected to each other in terms of beliefs, values and traditions that other non European nations. A combination of these two factors has contributed to the existence of the European identity. In short, a person have possess a European identity based on a principle of shared cultural values but at the same time reject the policies of the European Union as a political institution.

However, the political element associated with the European identity is one which combines the national identity with the European one. This would allow the citizens to identify both with their nationality and the European Union in the larger context. Nevertheless, the extent to which a person identifies with the European union would depend on how the concerned individual perceives the political unit of EU and its policies. Graves Brown, Jones and Gamble (2013) argue that the cultural aspect of the European identity depends on the various social and cultural factors which affect the identity of a person. European nations and their citizens share a number of common cultural elements which includes history, musical and also literary achievements. A large number of Europeans also share similar cultural and political values which are related to the ideas of state, human rights, democracy, separation of the church and the state and individualism. In a way, based on these principles, the Europeans are able to explain themselves as having a connecting factor which other communities lack. This is not to say that cultural and other differences do not exist between the various ethnic groups in Europe. However, the underlying principle or the foundational belief is the same in each case.

The question also arises as to how desirable the existence of a European identity actually is. At a time when Europe is stricken with deviations, tensions, failed attempts to reinvent religious and ethnic communities or distinguish between exclusionary and exclusive national identities, it is almost pointless to keep harping on a concept of the coveted European identity. There are basically three aspects to European identity – cultural identity, national identity and ethnic identity. However, the notion of national identity has suffered a toll in the recent years. Keeping in mind the tension due to Brexit and other political upheavals, it is important to develop a sense of belonging and unity or solidarity between the citizens of Europe.

In conclusion, it can be said that a European identity certainly exists. The notion of a unified European identity has persisted over the generations, owing to shared and common cultural beliefs, values and traditions. There have been a number of political and cultural factors which have led to the development of a shared identity in Europe, which is closely linked with the European Union. However, it must also be ascertained that the EU and the European identity are mutually exclusive. In other words, a person can identify himself with Europe and what it stands for without adhering or succumbing to the policies of EU as a political institution.

References:

Cheneval, F. and Schimmelfennig, F., 2013. The case for demoicracy in the European Union. JCMS: Journal of Common Market Studies, 51(2), pp.334-350.

Eriksen, E.O. and Fossum, J.E. eds., 2013. Rethinking democracy and the European Union (Vol. 7). Routledge.

Graves-Brown, P., Jones, S. and Gamble, C.S., 2013. Cultural identity and archaeology: the construction of European communities. Routledge.

Kaina, V. and Karolewski, I.P., 2013. EU governance and European identity.

Kaina, V., 2013. How to reduce disorder in European identity research. european political science, 12(2), pp.184-196.

McCormick, J., 2017. Understanding the European Union: a concise introduction. Palgrave.

Schmidt, V.A., 2013. Democracy and legitimacy in the European Union revisited: Input, output and ‘throughput’. Political Studies, 61(1), pp.2-22.

Spohn, W., 2016. Collective memory and European identity: the effects of integration and enlargement. Routledge.

Webber, D., 2014. How likely is it that the European Union will dis integrate? A critical analysis of competing theoretical perspectives. European Journal of International Relations, 20(2), pp.341-365.

Wodak, R. and Boukala, S., 2015. European identities and the revival of nationalism in the European Union: A discourse historical approach. Journal of Language and Politics, 14(1), pp.87-109.