Intra-EU Mobility and European Identity: Towards a Sense of Shared Belonging

Abstract

Delving into the numerous predicaments of European integration almost inevitably lays bare the issue of collective identity.1 Whether one considers the widespread resistance of the wealthier member states against creating common EU public debt, the timidity of the EU in dealing with language issues or the hesitation in transforming the Union into a full-fledged federal state, the crux of the problem is always the European population’s weak sense of a shared belonging. Low identification with Europe means poor solidarity with other Europeans — who are only viewed as ‘the others’. Poor solidarity translates into the low legitimacy of European institutions when they endeavour to impose redistributive policies or to pool member states’ resources. An appeal to German taxpayers to pay off the Greeks’ debts cannot leverage — as happened after reunification of the two Germanies — a strong bond between the two populations. There is no financial alchemy able to remedy this fundamental shortcoming.