Identity and Legitimacy: A European Dilemma

The paper examines the interplay between the concept of collective identity and that of political legitimacy in European integration. It first analyses the nature of European identity and its influence on the integration process. It then discusses the concept of identity building and, drawing on the historical experience of the EC/EU, it compares two theoretical models of supranational identity: 'regional cosmopolitanism ' and 'supernationalism'. As the degree of integration is about to be dramatically increased by EMU, the paper argues that the current prevailing model, regional cosmopolitanism, is unlikely to provide the level of legitimisation required. Applying the 'concentric cricles' theory, it argues that the 'supernationalism ' model could be successfully adapted to the European situation and significantly increase the legitimacy of the European Union. It then concludes by considering the implications on the vertical distribution of powers between European institutions, national governments and subnational administrations