On European Identity: Origins, Challenges and Prospects

Radeljić Branislav (Senior Lecturer in International Politics, University of East London, UK), B.Radeljic@uel.ac.uk

This article elaborates on the ideas surrounding the concept of European identity by looking both at the official documents of the European Union and academic literature on the topic. The analysis offered points out that the concept itself is highly questionable, not only because it does not offer a clear definition or limitations of such an identity and thus challenges further theorizing and applicability in practice, but also since it runs the risk of alienating the constituent parties and the peoples of the present European polity even further.

Keywords: European Union, European identity, Europeans, nonEuropeans