Rethinking the Synthesis in Europe -
Political Identity Issue as a Factor of European Integration
Ph.D. Candidate at Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences -
International, European and Regional Studies
The shaping of European identity formulates a new dimension to the role of the European citizen by enhancing the prospect of European integration in order to become more effective and sustainable. The protection as well as the promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions can contribute and upgrade the international western community in order to secure peace and social welfare. This article aims to examine the types of the components which integrate European identity, in parallel with the phenomenon of euroskepticism. Furthermore, this paper aims to explore how under various roles, the Union should confront the dilemmas which delay its political integration and led to the formation of adequate and creative policies which will upgrade the socio-economic European mosaic. The goal is to identify practices that foster social participation by improving the prospective for a European “Demos” in order to face the democratic perplexity of European institutions and rethink their multigovernmental functions.
* Earlier versions of this essay have been presented at Academic Sessions in the framework of Jean Monnet Network Activities, ‘Governance, Pluralism and Trans-nationalization in Europe’ of the University of the Aegean and part of it is to be published in Institutional, Political and Social Challenges for Europe in Crisis, GovUnet Working Papers Vol. 1, (Eds) Panos Grigoriou / Philippe Poirier.