A Union Without Identity? The Challenge of Feeling European

Abstract

There have always been nations, which were argued to have a stronger national identity than others. But how does the identity of a union look like – a union that is made up of many different member states with different cultural and political backgrounds? This article examines the situation of the actual identification of the EU citizens with the European Union and recognizes that Europeans feel European only to a little extent. The EU lacks the historic background but has achieved much since its foundation fifty years ago. Still, the attachment of the citizens to the Union remains modest. The author concludes challenges and starting points for enhancing a positive climate for the European identity.