Constructing the EU's Political Identity

This book explores the construction of the EU's political identity, variations in its strength, and the nature of its content. It analyzes how EU institutions have sought to create political identity through policy-making, using a process-oriented approach that includes contestation and rival political identities. The contributions suggest that EU institutions have struggled to establish a strong identity due to existing national identities and rival EU political identities within policy domains.

Format: Hardback
Length: 173 pages
Publication date: 24 October 2022
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate construction of the European Union's (EU) political identity, exploring its variations in strength and the essence of its content. By drawing upon a wealth of studies on both European nation-state formation and the EU's identity, the chapters adopt a top-down approach to analyze how EU institutions across various key policy domains have actively sought to shape political identity through policymaking. The authors define the concept of EU political identity and provide empirically relevant indicators to assess its presence in policymaking. Through a process-oriented lens, they examine the dynamic construction of identity, accounting for contestation and the coexistence of rival political identities. By comparing these findings across different policy domains, the contributions shed light on the limitations imposed on EU institutions by existing national identities and the competing EU political identities within these domains. This analysis reveals that establishing a strong and cohesive EU political identity has proven to be a challenging task, with identity strength being most pronounced where external alternatives are clear and rival identities within the EU are limited.

The book explores the multifaceted nature of the EU's political identity, examining its evolution, variations, and the core elements that shape it.

Through a comprehensive analysis, it sheds light on the strategies employed by EU institutions to establish and maintain a political identity amidst the complex dynamics of European nation-states and the evolving EU landscape.

The authors define the concept of EU political identity and provide a framework for assessing its presence and strength in policymaking.

They examine the interplay between contestation, rival identities, and the process of identity construction within the EU, highlighting the challenges and opportunities faced by the organization in defining its place in the world.

The book offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics of EU politics and governance, providing a deeper understanding of the factors that contribute to the development and consolidation of the EU's political identity.

Weight: 448g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031174063
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022