Cosmopolitan Europeans or Partisans of Fortress Europe? Supranational Identity Patterns in the EU

Abstract

In parallel to the EU's founding universal principles, European identity is usually conceived of as a postnational and cosmopolitan identity. However, it can also be exclusive, leading to a “fortress Europe”. This article analyses the relationship between European identity and cosmopolitanism by looking into the commonalities and boundaries of the former. Building upon socio-psychological approaches as well as different constructions of national identity, the content of European identity is analysed. Concerning its boundaries, we differentiate between external and internal boundary drawing, operationalised by looking at attitudes towards potential or new member states, and those towards immigrants of different origin. Empirically, Eurobarometer data from the last decade covering the 27 member states are used. A structural equation model rounds up the analysed relationships between identity patterns. The results show a strong and positive relationship between European identity and cosmopolitanism. However, the kind of European identity construction makes a difference. A civic and even cultural construction of European identity is positively related to cosmopolitanism, whereas an ethnic one is negatively related. The overall widespread cosmopolitanism in Europe still has to work out its relationship to existing external and internal boundaries, drawn by European citizens.