European Identity Essay

885 Words4 Pages
Pan-European identity refers to the sense of personal identification with Europe. The most concrete examples of pan-europeanism are the European Union (EU) and the older Council of Europe. 'Europe' is widely used as a synonym for the EU, as 500 million Europeans are EU citizens, however many nations that are not part of the EU may have large portions of their populations who identify themselves as European as well as their own nationality. The prefix pan implies that the identity applies throughout Europe, and especially in an EU context, 'pan-European' is often contrasted with national. The related term Europeanism refers to the assertion that the people of Europe have a distinctive set of political, economic and social norms and values that are slowly diminishing and replacing existing national or state-based norms and values.[1] Historically, European culture has not led to a geopolitical unit. As with the constructed nation, it might well be the case that a political or state entity will have to prefigure the creation of a broad, collective identity[2]. At present, European integration co-exists with national loyalties and national patriotism.[3] A development of European identity is regarded as a vital objective in pursuing the establishment of a politically, economically and militarily influential united Europe in the world.[4] It equally importantly supports the foundations of common European values, such as of fundamental human rights and spread of welfare.[4] It also inherently strengthens the supra-national democratic and social institutions of the European Union.[4] The concept of common European identity is viewed as rather a by-product than the main goal of the European integration process, and is actively promoted.[4] A sense of European identity traditionally derives from the idea of a common European historical narrative. In turn, that is
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