Keeping the European Faith. Collective Identity Before and After the Euro-Crisis


Abstract


Media discourses have conveyed the message that European identity has been severely undermined by the Euro-crisis. We test this contention with Eurobarometer data. Conceptually we distinguish two dimensions of collective identity: ‘image’ and ’belonging’. We surmise that economic downturns can alter the superficial layer of identity (image-like assessments), but not its underlying substance (belonging-like assessments) which depends on deeply ingrained socio-psychological mechanisms. These two dimensions are expected to be affected by the crisis in different ways: the image being a more volatile reflection of historical circumstances, and the sense of belonging being more stable over time.

DOI Code: 10.1285/i20356609v7i3p509

Keywords: Eurocrisis; EU image; European identity; European citizens; European public opinion

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