THE ROLE OF THE EURO IN STRENGHTENING THE EUROPEAN IDENTITY Cover Image

THE ROLE OF THE EURO IN STRENGHTENING THE EUROPEAN IDENTITY
THE ROLE OF THE EURO IN STRENGHTENING THE EUROPEAN IDENTITY

Author(s): Mihai Ovidiu Cercel
Subject(s): Politics, Education, Governance, Economic policy, EU-Accession / EU-DEvelopment, Geopolitics
Published by: Scoala Nationala de Studii Politice si Administrative (SNSPA)
Keywords: European construction; European identity; national identity; national symbols and values; symbolism of currency;

Summary/Abstract: In the history of Europe, there are only a few symbols that are common to all 27 EU countries: the Greek and Roman legacy, a common Christian religion, a shared bulk of common values and beliefs. The paper evaluates if Euro as a common currency should be considered as a symbol who may contribute to the European construction process and the role of symbols in the consolidation of a European collective identity. Our hypothesis is that the existence of a bulk of common symbols - among which the Euro currency is one of the most visible, shared widely by EU citizens - will consolidate the process of European construction. The lack of a common identity is often used by extremist parties as an argument in favor of Euro-pessimism and a return to nation state welfare. Our paper highlights the subtle links between money, collective identity and European integration. The results show a link between the rise of awareness concerning a European identity and the adoption of Euro. Fostering European symbols such as a single currency is contributing to create the conditions that allow the emergence of a sense of collective belonging, the European common identity.

  • Issue Year: 17/2023
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 5-21
  • Page Count: 17
  • Language: English
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