The European identity in the classical psyche of Greece: Between values and strategic vision

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to provide a reference appropriate to both current specialists in the field of International and European Studies and those delving into the subject for the first time. As Greece celebrates 200 years since the launch of the Greek Struggle for Independence (1821-2021) and the 40th anniversary of Greece's accession to the European Communities (now European Union), this article aims at a reflective analysis across the key themes that have shaped Greece’s strategic identity, from 1821 until the recent financial crisis.
 
 The current study reviews the existing literature on the subject and outlines an agenda for future research to build up knowledge and awareness on the importance of deepening our knowledge on the distinct strategic identities of the various EU Member-States. It comprises conceptual and empirical dimensions to deepen the appreciation on Greek politics, institutions, and policies and to connect them to a wider, international historical context. The main argument is that Greece has made strategic choices responding to the international political environment over time, in which the liaison between its classical legacy, Europe and the West have always been present.