The Politics of Identity and Political Order in Europe

Abstract

This article explores the link between identity, legitimacy and political order in Europe. The central argument is that the politics of identity have enormous salience in the new Europe and for the European Union at this juncture of its development, because the Union is moving from issues of instrumental problem-solving to fundamental questions about its nature as a part-formed polity. Problems of identity are raised by the politicization of immigration, the fragmentation of the post-war order, regionalism, the revival of the ultra Right and the process of European integration itself. The article concludes with an assessment of the affective dimension of integration. Copyright 1996 BPL.

We are one and I like it: The impact of ingroup entitativity on ingroup identification

“…Even a quick inspection of the political situation in Europe reveals that the coherence and the meaningfulness of the EU is continuously being questioned. This question can be said to occupy a central position in the ongoing debate on the development of a European identity (Castano, 2003, in press b;Castano & Tousignant, 1999;Hayward, 1995;Herrmann, Brewer, & Risse, in press;Laffan, 1996;Sindic, Castano, & Reicher, 2001). Last but not least, the selection of this particular group was particularly relevant given the political and social importance of the European integration process.…”

Romania: From Institutional to Personal Political Conflict. Mainstream Political Discourse on the Eve of the Refugee Crisis

“…On the one hand, there is the conflict between those who believe the EU is a historical success and those who think the European project is a political failure. And on the other hand, there are sometimes significant tensions between the views on how the EU should further its integration process, which is rather considered to be an extension of domestic politics (Laffan, 1996).…”

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