European Identity Research Articles

Why Scotland Should be Independent: Historical Context, European Identity, Future Prosperity and Unique Citizenship Challenges

Why Scotland Should be Independent: Historical Context, European Identity, Future Prosperity and Unique Citizenship Challenges

THE GEOPOLITICAL AWAKENING OF THE EUROPEAN UNION AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF THE RUSSIAN-UKRAINIAN WAR

The article analyses the impact of the Russian-Ukrainian war on the geopolitical transformation of the European Union (EU). It examines the key changes in the EU's security, energy and international relations strategy, as well as the development of its strategic autonomy and role in supporting Ukraine. The study is based on the analysis of scientific sources and political articles related to the EU's foreign policy and security mechanisms. A comparative analysis of the EU's decisions on sanctions, energy security and military assistance to Ukraine is used. Expert assessments of the geopolitical situation and economic consequences of the war are also taken into account. The article contributes to understanding the role of the Russian-Ukrainian war as a catalyst for the EU's political and strategic awakening. In particular, it highlights the development of the EU's strategic autonomy in response to its energy dependence on Russia and the growth of defence cooperation between member states. The author also explores how the war has contributed to the consolidation of European identity and the strengthening of the desire for global leadership in the face of current international challenges. The author notes that the Russian-Ukrainian war has accelerated changes in the EU's approach to foreign and security policy. The EU has strengthened its strategic autonomy, increased economic sanctions against Russia and mobilised resources to support Ukraine. At the same time, the war has shown the need to develop energy resources independent of external suppliers and to increase the EU's internal defence capabilities. Ukraine's integration into the European space has become an important strategic direction of the EU's policy. An important aspect has been the strengthening of European defence cooperation, which demonstrates the EU's desire for greater independence in security matters. Ukraine's integration into the European space is becoming one of the key directions of the EU's foreign policy, which may accelerate the process of Ukraine's accession to the Union in the future. The author also draws attention to the fact that the issue of strengthening the EU's defence capabilities affects the problem of the international security system, which today, as a result of the Russian-Ukrainian war, is undergoing the greatest transformations since the Second World War.

Identarian Atlanticism and foreign policy implications: a study of European public attitudes

ABSTRACT An increasing number of scholars have studied the role of identity in shaping states’ foreign policy. In Europe, the existence of diverse national identities renders shared senses of European identity an important foundation for any foreign policy requiring supra-national coordination. Most studies support the view that strengthening senses of European identity promote ‘Europeanist’ foreign policy paradigms that emphasize the importance for Europe to act as an autonomous and independent global player. However, we suggest that the effects of European identification on citizens’ foreign policy preferences remain poorly understood. In this paper, using novel survey data, we statistically assess the linkages between citizens’ sense of European identity and their preferences to align with the United States. We find European identity to be strongly tied to ‘Atlanticist’ foreign policy attitudes and attribute much of this effect to feelings of ideational proximity. Our results provide insights into the future of Europe’s international positioning and showcase the importance of considering the relative proximity in actors’ identities when studying the impact of such identities on foreign policy attitudes.

EXPRESS: From the Margins to the Mainstream: Entrepreneurial Theorization and the Spread of a New Collective Identity within a Mature Organizational Field

We study the effects of entrepreneurial theorization on the spread of a new collective identity within a mature organizational field. Mature fields are characterized by dominant logics, entrenched practices, and stable patterns of interaction, resulting in isomorphism and inertia. Yet, mature fields do change, often as a result of entrepreneurial activity. Whereas prior work has focused on the creation of “oppositional” niches within mature fields, we focus on an identity movement that transforms the core of a field. We do this within the context of the Canadian wine field, a field that remained stable from the end of Prohibition through the 1970s. For decades, large incumbents projected a European identity for their wines and gave these wines “faux” European names. In contrast, pioneering entrepreneurs projected a distinctly Canadian identity for their wines, an identity that was ultimately adopted by incumbents. In this way, domestic wine in Canada became tied to place rather than divorced from it. We show how entrepreneurial theorization of the “Canadian wine” identity by small producers and identity pioneers spread to the center of the field, and how the effects of theorization depended on the authenticity of these theorizers. We also suggest that an identity movement that engages incumbents rather than seeks to create an oppositional category is more likely to reach the center of a mature field.

Latvian National Identity in the Post-heroic Era

Abstract In recent years, commemorative practices in Europe have changed, and the historiography uses the term “post-heroic” to describe the transformation in memory-making. Post-heroism signifies when public recognition is no longer attributed to heroic deeds but to the victims of conflicts and wars.. These recent transformations in European commemorative practices are a challenge to the idea of a united European identity because an identity based on a narrative of victimhood generates an identity for the group that has suffered, leading to a competition of victimhood: i.e., victimhood is exclusive and does not allow the ideal of a European identity to thrive. This article analyzes the ways the construction of Latvia’s collective memory after the country regained independence in 1990 exemplifies post-heroic identity and elucidates the consequences and challenges such a self-image produces in a society that has embraced it.

Against the Current: Negotiating European Identities in a Still Divided World

Against the Current: Negotiating European Identities in a Still Divided World

Becoming European: Mid- and Short-Term Development of a European Identity Among Adolescents

ABSTRACT European identity formation is a component of political identity and linked to the support of European institutions and values. To understand how it develops, we examined three processes of identity formation (commitment, in-depth exploration, and reconsideration of commitment) on a short- and mid-term time scale, and their interrelations. A total of 371 German adolescents (M age = 14.24, SD age = 0.55, 60.37% females) participated in a longitudinal study and in a ten-day daily diary study. We conducted latent growth curve analysis (LGCM) and assessed rank-order stability and profile similarity for both time scales. Next, conditional LGCMs were run to examine associations of both time scales. We found a significant increase of all identity processes from the beginning to the middle of the school year and a significant decrease from the middle to the end of the school year. Across 10 days, growth curves varied according to the identity process. Stabilities were high for both time scales. Commitment at the beginning of the school year was negatively associated with fluctuations in commitment. Our results highlight the importance of examining different time scales and focusing on specific domains for understanding identity development in adolescence. They further indicate that short-term processes are associated with long-term development.

Illiberal Populism as a Polarizing Factor of Regional Cooperation in Central Europe

Central European identity and regionality are very traditional and deeply rooted discourses. Over the past 35 years, a number of regional cooperation formats have emerged, among which the Visegrad Group has acquired a special position. This weakly institutionalised and thematically selective regional organisation has nevertheless established itself in the last 15 years as one of the visible actors of so-called populist regionalism. The (partial) transformation of the V4 towards populist foreign policy, national conservatism and Euroscepticism is the subject of our analysis. Using the concepts of populist regionalism and illiberal populism, it focuses on the formation of a monolithic discourse of the V4 as a group opposed to the international liberal order and the "Brussels agenda" in terms of values and public policies. We also examine the negative implications of this populist appropriation of the V4 for the region's position within the EU.

Investigating the Complexity of Cultural Identities in Globalizing Societies

Cultural identity has become increasingly important and complex within many contemporary globalized societies. Consequently, methodological development is needed to expand our conceptualization and measurement of (a) the formation and experiences of multiple nested cultural identities and (b) how such identities relate to psychosocial functioning. In the preregistered and experimental quantitative phase (Study 1), Danish participants ( n = 308) were divided into three subsamples completely at random and exposed to various priming regarding global events (i.e., COVID-19, war in Ukraine, or a control prompt not related to current events). Danish, European, and global cultural identities were all highly endorsed across our sample, and global identity was enhanced by priming related to the war in Ukraine as compared with the other two priming conditions. Danish cultural identity was positively associated with well-being (self-esteem and life satisfaction) both directly and indirectly through self-concept clarity, whereas European identity was negatively associated with self-concept clarity, and global identity was positively associated with self-esteem. In the qualitative phase (Study 2), with a selected subsample of the Study 1 sample ( n = 5), we conducted in-depth semistructured interviews to explore the experience of sociohistorically embedded cultural identities (i.e., shaped by a complex interplay of culture, language, and social practices) within the globalized context of Denmark. Results highlight ideographic understandings of cultural identities and how these identities are politically embedded and shaped through intercultural experiences and events. These results are discussed in terms of how multi-method approaches can enhance our understanding of contemporary complex cultural identities.

Challenges and future prospects of EU Citizenship

Abstract This paper explores the evolution, rights, challenges, and future prospects of European Union (EU) citizenship. Tracing its origins from the early stages of European integration to the present day, the paper examines the development of EU citizenship rights and their impact on individuals’ lives within the EU. It delves into the rights and benefits conferred by EU citizenship, including free movement, social entitlements, and political participation. Furthermore, the paper discusses the challenges and controversies surrounding EU citizenship, such as citizenship acquisition, integration policies, and the implications of Brexit. Through case studies and comparative analysis, it offers insights into member state practices and legal precedents shaping EU citizenship. Looking ahead, the paper explores potential reforms, challenges, and opportunities for strengthening EU citizenship in the context of evolving European integration. Additionally, it underscores the importance of citizenship education and awareness in fostering civic engagement and promoting a sense of belonging among EU citizens. By providing a comprehensive analysis of EU citizenship, this paper contributes to the ongoing discourse on European identity and integration, with implications for policymakers, scholars, and citizens alike.

The Dynamic Nature of European Identity

EU citizenship requires a multilayered and dynamic concept of European identity. The idea of European identity embodied in the Declaration on European Identity and within A Charter on European Identity needs to be rethought. These documents should not contain essentialist assumptions based on the difference between "Europe" and "Other" that excludes and marginalizes a number of citizens. European identity should not create new forms of nationalism. That is why the concept of European identity should be flexible and dynamic. The concepts of identity, values, and Europe need to be rebuilt and reinterpreted in a multifaceted, adaptable, and dynamic manner. We can only discuss the dynamic nature of the European Union and the European identity in this sense. The concept of European identity should be developed less in terms of a predetermined past and more in terms of shared projects, long-term goals and connections resulting from a long-term, deliberate process.

What does it mean to be European? How identity content shapes adolescent's views towards immigrants and support for the EU

AbstractAdolescents support Eurosceptic and far‐right movements more and more. Since adolescents' years are a formative period for political orientations, it is important to promote a shared sense of belonging together among Europeans to counteract these tendencies. This could be achieved by fostering a European identity, however, only if its content is civically defined. We examined adolescents' understandings of being European, and how they relate to intolerance, EU support, and other predictors. Our sample included 1206 German adolescents (51% female, Age: M = 14.4, SD = .6, 27% ethnic minority adolescents). European identity was assessed via open answers and five closed questions. We conducted latent class analysis to identify identity classes. Three classes emerged: a living‐based (47%), a culture & value‐based (27%), and an ancestry‐based class (26%). Classes did not differ regarding EU support, but regarding intolerance (highest: ancestry‐based, lowest: culture & value‐based). Our results indicate that German adolescents differed in their understanding of being European and that it is important to consider how youth define Europeanness to understand European identity's effect on their views. Furthermore, our study argues for assessing identity openly to capture nuances of identity content adequately.

The European Muslim Crisis and the Post-October 7 Escalation

Israel’s war on Gaza following 7 October 2023 has given birth to several political and social changes in European nations. According to the United Nations Report of the Special Rapporteur, Israel has used this moment to “distort” international humanitarian law principles “in an attempt to legitimize genocidal violence against the Palestinian people.” In the European context, this has led to European Muslims and non-Muslims, including organizations, institutions, as well as individual academics, politicians, and activists mobilizing and voicing their condemnation and demand their governments to do more towards peaceful and equitable solutions. However, this has been met with a strong reaction from European governing bodies. This paper situates this reaction within wider discourses on the European Muslim crisis. It begins with a systematic literature review on the so-called European Muslim crisis, followed by case studies on the United Kingdom and Germany on their respective changes to policies impacting Muslims in the post-October 7 contexa Regarding the literature review, this paper illustrates how this concept has three distinct, yet intersecting meanings: the crisis of European identity; the crisis of foundational ideologies of Europe; and an internal Muslim crisis that often leads to radicalization. Through the British and German case studies, this paper illustrates that October 7 has reinforced and strengthened the shift towards values-based citizenship and integration. This paper argues that through branding pro-Palestine protesters and organizations as extremists in the British context, and adding questions related to antisemitism and Israel in the citizenship tests in the German context, the Israel/Palestine issue has now become yet another yardstick to demarcate the European, civilized “us” vs. the Muslim “other.” In doing so, October 7 has escalated elements already present within the wider discourses of the European Muslim crisis.

European identity in the works of J. Habermas

European identity in the works of J. Habermas

Exploring the self, others, and the world: the interplay between experiences abroad in adolescence, identity processes, and ethnic prejudice

Study abroad experiences can be an important asset for individuals’ personal development and well-being. However, their impact on social identity domains and prejudice is still unexplored. The current research examined whether the ways in which youth retrospectively narrate their abroad experiences in adolescence were intertwined with their national and European identity processes and ethnic prejudice. A total of 117 Italian youth (M age = 22.71, SD = 2.50; 53.8% females) who participated in a mobility program in adolescence completed an online questionnaire and a retrospective narrative interview. Agency and self-event connections in the narratives were directly linked to identity processes in national and European domains. European identity processes were associated with different levels of affective and cognitive prejudice. Across both identity domains, the number of self-event connections in the narratives was indirectly linked to lower affective prejudice via increased in-depth exploration. These findings highlight the importance of abroad experiences for consolidating self- and other-oriented views.

Opting out of an EU identity? The effects of differentiated integration on European identity

ABSTRACT The link between European institutions and European identities remains under-explored. Similarly, we know little about how countries opting out of European integration has helped shape their citizens’ view of themselves as more or less European. Using general synthetic control models and data from 1983 to 2020, I find that people in countries with opt-outs tend to identify as more strongly European in the years after an opt-out is implemented, and most prominently so in the countries where opt-outs responded to a popular demand and were associated with great politicisation. This shows that providing individual countries with greater autonomy may strengthen their citizens’ attachment to Europe, but that any such effect is likely to depend on domestic variations in for instance elite politicisation of European integration.

Unveiling South American collective identities in Brazil: insights into regional integration and identity formation

ABSTRACT This study investigates the construction of South American collective identities in Brazil, emphasizing regional integration and identity formation. Using a seven-scale model adapted from European identity research, it evaluates the psychological existence and identification with South America as a transnational imagined community among Brazilians. The findings highlight the complex interplay between national and regional identities, influenced by historical, cultural, and socio-political factors. The study contributes to the field of Comparative Regionalism by providing a nuanced understanding of identity dynamics in South America, underscoring the importance of elite-led integration efforts and their impact on citizens’ perceptions.

Defining ‘Russianness’, defining ‘Austrianness’ – defining ‘Europe’: Austrian Tchaikovsky imageries during the Allied occupation, 1945–55

ABSTRACT This essay will examine critical discourses regarding Peter Tchaikovsky as a symbolic figurehead of high-brow Russian music in the two most widely circulated Austrian newspapers of the Allied occupation period: the Wiener Kurier (WK) and the Salzburger Nachrichten (SN), both affiliated with the US administration. In the context of Austria’s (problematic) denazification, post-war reconstruction, nation-building and reorientation towards the West, the reception of Tchaikovsky serves as a litmus test of negotiations concerning questions of cultural capital, habitus, musical canon, and nationalism (Otherness), Austria’s position as Europe’s Musikland, and a composer’s branding. Influential critics evaded a clear positioning within the Cold War ‘East–West’ context by appropriating Tchaikovsky for constructing an Austrian, European identity from a position of cultural power. This led to the coexistence of several musical ‘Russias’ in the Austrian public space: Soviet cultural diplomacy, US promotion of musical modernity (Stravinsky) and Austrians’ own, and self-interested, reconstruction of a Russian ‘national’ canon. Wiener Kurier and Salzburger Nachrichten columnists display a significant degree of middle-term continuity, while developing remarkable independence from and agency vis-à-vis the hard power presence of both the United States and the USSR, by subverting the superpowers’ cultural offensives, engaging in Austrian prestige politics, and affirming their interpretative sovereignty and knowledge-power within the re-emerging Austrian musical field. The music critics’ robust judgment, combined with the relative popularity that Tchaikovsky enjoyed, affirmed the considerable autonomy of the cultural field, and the discursive pre-eminence of musical conservatives and their knowledge-power.

The role of the European Union and international legislation in the government of the migration crisis

This paper focuses on the over researched migrant and refugee emergency of 2015-2016, adopting a broader temporal and spatial lens. The 2015 refugee crisis shook Europe and its security and brought immigration and asylum policy to new political dynamics that are developing at a pace and with difficulty in coordination. This particular 'crisis' of 2015 gave a stronger political impetus to the migration and asylum agenda of the EU's destination and transit states. concerns about the limitations of the liberal state, including external border policy, the framing of migrants, European identity and the phenomenon of return migration security, which mainly affected Central and Eastern Europe. Through the analysis of a broad set of materials emerging from the research project, we identified several interacting features of governance in times of crisis, including a multilevel but complex actor landscape, complicated and fragmented legal systems and policy provisions that can change at the temporal level as well as at the territorial level and the current characteristics of a 'crisis governance mode'. Can we identify the specific features that form this state of crisis?

Supporting Ukrainian refugees: Examining intergroup contact, empathy and European identity in promoting helping behaviours

AbstractThe escalation of the Russian–Ukrainian conflict has forced many Ukrainian people to leave their country seeking safety and support. To date, more than 6 million of refugees have crossed the borders into neighbouring countries. Nearly all European countries were involved in refugee‐hosting, including Italy. In a cross‐sectional study with Italian respondents (N = 338), we examined direct contact with and empathy towards Ukrainians and identification with Europe as predictors of helping behaviours towards Ukrainian refugees. Specifically, based on intergroup contact theory, we expected contact to be associated with helping behaviours via increased empathy. The European identity, rooted in values such as tolerance and egalitarianism can be seen as a common ingroup that includes people from various European countries, including Ukrainians. Consequently, it should be associated with helping behaviours, and could boost the effects of contact and empathy. As hypothesised, identification with Europe boosted the direct effect of contact on helping behaviours. Instead, the indirect effect of contact on helping behaviours via empathy was significant only among respondents with low Identification with Europe. This research highlights processes related to intergroup helping behaviours and, more specifically, participation in humanitarian initiatives favouring Ukrainian refugees. Please refer to the Supplementary Material section to find this article's Community and Social Impact Statement.