Understanding the process of creating a European identity: The role of Cohesion Policy

Abstract

This paper reviews the theoretical arguments for understanding the process of the creation of a European identity. We discuss the mechanisms and determinants driving citizens' identification with Europe, stressing the role of territory in European identity formation. More precisely, our focus is on the literature that considers the link between European identity and EU policies that influence the socioeconomic conditions in general and Cohesion Policy in particular. This is a major policy within the EU that accounted for some 350 billion euros invested in the 2007-2013 programming period, or about one-third of the EU budget. Consequently, Cohesion Policy is expected to determine the way citizens identify with the European project in the regions benefitting more and less by the policy. The study also considers arguments supporting an urban-rural divide in European identity, which could interact with the influence of the Cohesion Policy. Initial descriptive evidence of these links is provided based on results from a comprehensive survey of 15 EU member states