Difficulties of the EU as a Common Object for Identification

Abstract

In order to understand and explain the current problems of ‘European identity’ and ‘European integration’, one needs to look at the long-term development of the institutions of today’s European Union. The main thesis of this paper is that the transition of the social habitus of a great number of Europeans has been lagging behind the transition of national institutions towards European supranational institutions. In this sense, the European Union could serve as a paradigmatic example of ‘non-simultaneity of developments’ of social differentiation without accompanying processes of social integration. Owing to this problem, the EU could not serve as a common object of identification for many of its citizens. In this paper, different aspects of processes of social integration and disintegration will be called into consideration. Also to be discussed are some of the difficulties associated with the emergence of a new ‘survival unit’ in more democratic societies in comparison to authoritarian societies, with regard to the question of democratic legitimacy as well as social equalities.