Entangled identities. Nations and Europe

Abstract:

This work arises from an international research project, EURONAT, whose overall aim is to analyse comparatively the present national-cum-European components of collective identities in the selected countries on three levels - the historical foundations of these webs of national and European identities; the role of political parties and media in their construction; and the impact of public opinion and civil society on the construction of these webs of national and European identities. The work comprises nine country case studies seeking a comparative explanation for the varying development of collective identities.

The first chapter looks at the British nation state, already the result of the fusion of two kingdoms, England and Scotland, plus union with Northern Ireland and the earlier incorporation of Wales in 1536, and explores the English dominance in the relationship of Britain with Europe. Chapter two presents a study of Germany, comprising as it does homogenisation of different regional political centres and ethnic cultures, the interconnection of these ethnic groups in a common high language and culture, the imperial framework of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation and the continuation of these aspects into modern nation building on the basis of common culture and a federal structure. The Austrian transition from its double imperial legacy of the Habsburg empire and the German empire is the focus of chapter three. The Spanish experience is explored in chapter four, covering the modern movement towards rejection of its past backwardness and earnest membership of the European Union which has assisted the growth of ‘Spanishness’. Chapter five examines the Italian case, looking at the historical and relational factors that have transformed the Italian national identity.

Greece might be seen as the oldest and greatest of the European civilisations offering much in the creation of the modern European civilisation, but it is not without its problems and these are examined closely in chapter six. The seventh case study is that of Hungary, presenting an overview of the most important elements and some social processes of Hungarian national self-reflections together with commentary on some of the most important issues for Hungary in its accession to the European Union. The development of Czech statehood is covered in chapter eight, which explores its detachment from its own aristocratic elite and the break up of the Soviet bloc which hastened its relationship with and subsequent membership of the European Union. The ninth case study goes to the heart of the matter - or perhaps more accurately the geopolitical centre of Europe, Poland, which for a thousand years has been developing its statehood and national identity at the cross-roads of the European West and the European East.

The work will interest scholars and students engaged in European Studies, European integration and enlargement, international relations and sociology.

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