A Political Entity Needs a Common Identity? The Case of the European Union

Abstract

Strengthening European Union (EU) citizens' identification with the process of European integration, particularly EU institutions and policies has become one of the major challenges facing the policy maker within the Union. The creation of a common and unify European identity in which European citizens consider the EU that is identical to their social, cultural, political, economic norms and values is critical for the long-term integration of the EU. The increases in the diversities of European societies because of migration and globalization made policy maker and political actors in various levels both on- local, national, regional and the EU- to come in conclusion that there is need to address the issues of common identity and citizenship as one of the means to prevent social conflict and disintegrated societies with the Europe. The need to create identity politics which means that there is an attempt to form a collective identity by redefinition of attachments and loyalties which will aim to enhance a consciousness of being European, hence, forming long lasting forms of social and political integration.

Keywords: Politics, integration

JEL Classification: J10