Europeanization, Collective Identities and
Public Discourses
PROJECT ENDED
[this page is no longer updated]
Final Report (March 2003)
Under the Fifth Framework Programme of the EU's Research & Technology Development activities, the Robert Schuman Centre coordinates a multidisciplinary network on 'Europeanization, Collective Identities and Public Discourses' (IDNET). This thematic network brings together five research institutions and focuses on three tasks: "European integration and European Identity", "European Construction and Multi-level Governance" and "Governance and Media". It includes political scientists, sociologists and social psychologists and investigates the processes by which Europeanization impacts upon and transforms collective identities relating to the nation-state. It analyses the role of the media and public discourses in these processes by which individuals and social groups negotiate and transform their collective identities. At the same time, the private conversations among citizens as well as the socialisation experiences of actors involved in European policy-making: at the various supranational, national and sub-national levels are of concern.
IDNET investigates four sets of questions:
1. What is the impact of Europeanization and the emergence of a European polity on the collective identities of social groups in various countries including the gender dimension? To what extent do the emerging European "discourse" and increasing transnational communication patterns influence established national identities in different countries and contribute to the processes of redefinition of such national and sub-national identities? How will Europeanization affect collective identities on the various levels of subjective affiliation (including gender) in the future?
2. What are the micro-mechanisms by which collective identities change? Do European integration and the increasing involvement of social groups and actors in European policy-making at the various levels lead to socialisation effects on the collective identities of actors? What is the role of learning, arguing, persuasion, and other legitimation attempts in these processes? What are the identity related effects of efforts by EU institutions such as the Commission and by national governments to increase the support base for EU policies among ordinary citizens?
3. What role do the media and public discourses play in these processes of identity formation and identity change? Is there an emerging European public sphere, or do public spheres continue to reside in the nation-states? How do transnational influences and developments in other countries affect national public debates, and what are the consequences for collective identities referring to the nation-state or sub-national entities? How does the Eastern enlargement of the European Union influence the European, national and social identities, the inter-European perceptions and discourses as well as the political cultures and the legitimacy bases of the European integration project?
4. How does the Eastern enlargement of the European Union impact upon the restructuring of opportunity structures, social interests, and social identities? What developments are likely in the future?
The project includes joint workshops and conferences, extended visits of scholars to other research institutions in the network and participation of graduate students and junior scholars. These activities will result in a number of publications. Furthermore, the project foresees in outreach activities for policy-makers and practicioners, including the development of a database on identity-related research, policy memos and workshops for decision-makers.
The five project partners are:
- The Institute of Psychology (CNR), Rome (Prof. Laura Benigni, Dr. Anna Triandafyllidou)
- ARENA, University of Oslo (Prof. Jeffrey Checkel)
- University of Konstanz (Prof. Bernhard Giesen)
- Humboldt University Berlin (Prof. Klaus Eder, Prof. Willfried Spohn)
- The Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, European University Institute, Florence (Prof. Thomas Risse)
Page last updated on 18 August 2017