European Identity in Times of Crisis

Abstract

This essay tries to discuss three possible models of common European identity based on shared political values, shared economic interests and shared cultural heritage in our actual situation when Europe is suffering from many crises or their aftermaths (Eurozone crisis, migration crisis or Brexit crisis). The fi rst non-exclusive “thin” identity model is based on many essentially contested concepts (in the essay demonstrated on the concept of human dignity) and its major weakness lies in the fact that many of these values are eroding in our practices, not only in the “new” EU member states. The approach based on shared pragmatic interests does not produce strong moral commitments, but the real problem of this model is that since the beginning of 1970s one of the truly European “innovations” – its post-war model of welfare state – is put into question (The essay tries to demonstrate it using the theory of Wolfgang Streeck). The common cultural heritage model that can produce “thick” identity is on the fi rst sight the most diffi cult to build because of the almost insurmountable plurality between European cultures. However, the shared culture can produce cosmopolitan “identity in diversity”, but only if material conditions for the creation of this “fragile” or “delicate” identity model are created in some form of reinvented welfare state that could liberate us from many fears we have.