Does the EU need a European Identity? Why? Why not? Use concrete examples to support your line of argument

Résumé du document

In a European Union under construction, speaking about European Identity is essential. If it exists, it should be the expression of a dynamic link between Europeans. This identity is or would therefore be the creator of art and culture, a common political ethic, European citizenship, and common education. The first objective is then to know whether a European Identity exists. The answer seems to be "no". Of course, the European Union is not completely devoid of a common Identity, but "So far, the identity of the European Union has predominantly been defined politically" (European Values and Identity, 2007). According to the Treaties, the EU is founded "on the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law" (Article 6 TEU). In accordance with the principle of "unity in diversity", it shall promote the diversity of its cultures, while "bringing the common cultural heritage to the fore" (European Values and Identity, 2007)

Extraits

[...] The line of argument of the EU is, of course that we can have both identities, and that multiplicity of identities will lead to a richer Europe. According to European Union Leaders, a European Identity does not contradict national or regional identity. For instance, Article F of the Maastricht Treaty reads "Union shall respect the national identities of its Member States", Europe needs to be closer to its citizens in order to achieve its goal of deepening European Identity. Identity is based on the sharing out of common values. [...]

[...] First of all, the term ‘identity' needs to be defined. Whereas an individual identity refers to why the individual is and his or her self-consciousness, a collective identity implies a sense of belonging to something, more often to a group. According to Louis Kriesberg, “People who share the same collective identity think of themselves as having a common interest and a common fate” (2003). The European Union nowadays is often seen more as an aggregate of Nation-states having each an individual identity than as a single unified entity. [...]

[...] Jacobs and Maier, European Identity: construct, fact and fiction, Maastricht: M. & de ruijter. A. (eds.)) Jenkins B. (1996), Nation and Identity in Contemporary Europe, London: Routledge. Kriesberg L (July 2003) identity issues, Retrieved on beyond intractability website: http://www.beyondintractability.org/essay/identity_issues / Parliament, an overview, retrieved 2 June 2008, on European Parliament website: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/parliament/public.do?language=en Rawal & Nixon “European Public Policy lectures” HEBO Haagse Hogeschool. Sztompka Piotr From East Europeans to Europeans: Shifting Identities and boundaries in the New Europe, Wassenaar: Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities and Social Sciences. [...]

[...] However, today, European Union remains full of contradictions. Whereas some elements contribute to feed the hope for a real European Identity (for instance the common currency Euro, or the studies exchange program Erasmus), some other facts demonstrate that this aim is far from being reached. Indeed, in each European country, citizens are more attached to their nation, their country, to a particular and specific culture than to common European values. According to a Eurobarometer survey, at the end of 2004, people feel more attached to their country (92 region (88 and city (87 than to Europe (67 (European values and identity, 2007). [...]

[...] The forging of a European Identity seems to be irreversible. But does the EU really need it? One part of the answer can be yes, because the European Union could, by means of this European Identity, gain power on the international scene. But some questions are raised by this issue. In fact, does an identity need to be built? Or should it be something natural and inherent to a group of people? Can an Identity be created? Probably not entirely. [...]