Integration, Identity and Participation in a Changing Europe

The paper analyzes the prospects of building European identity in the changing environment of the EU enlargements. Drawing on data from Eurobarometer surveys, the study specifically looks at citizens’ perceptions and images of EU and their availability to participate in European affairs. The article...

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Main Author: Marius Tătar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of Oradea 2010-12-01
Series:Journal of Social Research & Policy
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.jsrp.ro/content/JSRP-Nr2_TATAR/JSRPNr.2_TATAR.pdf?attredirects=0
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author Marius Tătar
author_facet Marius Tătar
author_sort Marius Tătar
collection DOAJ
description The paper analyzes the prospects of building European identity in the changing environment of the EU enlargements. Drawing on data from Eurobarometer surveys, the study specifically looks at citizens’ perceptions and images of EU and their availability to participate in European affairs. The article points out different views about the meanings and expectations regarding the EU project. Although both national and international contexts play a significant role in fostering specific representations of EU, there is no clear-cut divide between the citizens of “old” and “new” Member States (MS). Instead, one can notice a more complex picture in terms of identification with the EU. In general, people from different MS tend to feel on average more attachment to their country (and sometimes to their own village/town/city) than to the EU. Moreover, individuals from “old” MS do not necessarily have higher levels of attachment to the symbols of EU than those living in “new” MS. In addition, the level of effective knowledge on how EU actually works remains at relatively low rates throughout Europe, regardless of a country’s date of accession to the EU. Consequently, the socialization effects of the European integration process seem to remain weak in terms of fostering the emergence of European identity.
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spelling doaj.art-0864cbf3d1ec422cb68acff39e3900fd2022-12-22T02:04:01ZengUniversity of OradeaJournal of Social Research & Policy2067-26402068-98612010-12-01124762Integration, Identity and Participation in a Changing EuropeMarius TătarThe paper analyzes the prospects of building European identity in the changing environment of the EU enlargements. Drawing on data from Eurobarometer surveys, the study specifically looks at citizens’ perceptions and images of EU and their availability to participate in European affairs. The article points out different views about the meanings and expectations regarding the EU project. Although both national and international contexts play a significant role in fostering specific representations of EU, there is no clear-cut divide between the citizens of “old” and “new” Member States (MS). Instead, one can notice a more complex picture in terms of identification with the EU. In general, people from different MS tend to feel on average more attachment to their country (and sometimes to their own village/town/city) than to the EU. Moreover, individuals from “old” MS do not necessarily have higher levels of attachment to the symbols of EU than those living in “new” MS. In addition, the level of effective knowledge on how EU actually works remains at relatively low rates throughout Europe, regardless of a country’s date of accession to the EU. Consequently, the socialization effects of the European integration process seem to remain weak in terms of fostering the emergence of European identity.http://www.jsrp.ro/content/JSRP-Nr2_TATAR/JSRPNr.2_TATAR.pdf?attredirects=0IntegrationIdentityParticipationSocializationEuropean Union
spellingShingle Marius Tătar
Integration, Identity and Participation in a Changing Europe
Journal of Social Research & Policy
Integration
Identity
Participation
Socialization
European Union
title Integration, Identity and Participation in a Changing Europe
title_full Integration, Identity and Participation in a Changing Europe
title_fullStr Integration, Identity and Participation in a Changing Europe
title_full_unstemmed Integration, Identity and Participation in a Changing Europe
title_short Integration, Identity and Participation in a Changing Europe
title_sort integration identity and participation in a changing europe
topic Integration
Identity
Participation
Socialization
European Union
url http://www.jsrp.ro/content/JSRP-Nr2_TATAR/JSRPNr.2_TATAR.pdf?attredirects=0
work_keys_str_mv AT mariustatar integrationidentityandparticipationinachangingeurope