Euroclash

The EU, European Identity, and the Future of Europe

Bibliographic Data

ID23398281
AuthorsNeil Fligstein (0000-0002-7049-6502, Class of 1939 Professor in the Department of Sociology, University of California, Berkeley, corresponding author)
Year2009
Pages296
Publication date2009-10-08
Open AccessYes
TypeBOOK
VenueEuroclash (SOURCE_BOOK)
PublisherOxford University PressOxford (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199580859.001.0001
OpenAlexW3151752202
Open LibraryOL27691160M
ISBN9780199580859
LanguageEN
Citations received60

The European Union's (EU) market integration project has dramatically altered economic activity around Europe. This book presents evidence on how trade has increased, jobs have been created, and European business has been reorganized. The changes in the economy have been accompanied by dramatic changes in how people from different societies interact. This book argues that these changes have produced a truly transnational European society. The book explores the nature of that society and its relationship to the creation of a European identity, popular culture, and politics. Much of the current political conflict around Europe can be attributed to who is and who is not involved in European society. Business owners, managers, professionals, white-collar workers, the educated, and the young have all benefited from European economic integration, specifically by interacting more and more with their counterparts in other societies. They tend to think of themselves as Europeans. Older, poorer, less educated, and blue-collar citizens have benefited less. They view the EU as intrusive on national sovereignty, or they fear its pro-business orientation will overwhelm the national welfare states. They have maintained national identities. There is a third group of mainly-middle class citizens who see the EU in mostly positive terms and sometimes — but not always — think of themselves as Europeans. It is this swing group that is most critical for the future of the European project. If they favor more European cooperation, politicians will oblige. But, if they prefer that policies remain wedded to the nation, European cooperation will stall.

Economics · European integration · European union · International trade · National identity · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Sovereignty · European Union Policy and Governance · Law · Economic conditions · Economic integration · European cooperation · European National characteristics · European union countries · Group identity · National characteristics · Social conditions · Social policy