National Identity And European Identity

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‘To be rooted is perhaps the most important and the least recognized need of human soul (Weil, 1942). Discuss this statement with reference to national identity and the possibility of a post-national ‘European Identity’ The following essay aims to examine the principle of ‘National citizenship’ contrasted with the present modern European identity. The paper shall question the emergence of the European Identity with a brief history of its developent. Weil's statement (1942) 'To be rooted is perhaps the most important and the least recognized need of the human soul' is a concept that shall be analysed with close inspection. In order to examine this principle, the essay will firstly identify differing theories of citizenship, this will enable the author to understand the position of citizenship within a national and international context. Contrast on the traditional nationalistic view point of Irish citizens shall be highlighted. The paper shall reach agreement with Weil's statement with linked relationships to culture, identity and a sense of belonging. Following this, the essay will go on to discuss the conflicts and scepticism that surrounds a European identify and whether this unified front can actually be achieved. Finally this essay will finish with a conclusion of the overall discussion. The History British Priminister Winston Churchill was part of the founding idea to create a 'United States of Europe'. After the atrocities of WW2 he felt that the only way for 'peace' to occur was to create a united Europe; eliminating nationalism and war hungry political opposition. He believed that an allied Europe could fight against anti fascism and Nazism through European integration. 'There is a remedy which ... would in a few years... ... middle of paper ... ...opean identity it's now important to look at how people locate themselves. So many countries encompass Europe that individuals all have differing biographies and histories. Flagstein also indicated that individuals that participate in the idea of 'Europe' go on to develop European identities. In contrast individuals from less afluent economic social horizons view themselves as more 'local' and thus are robust in their nationalistic identities and attitudes. Therefore to deplete the believe that national culture will be lost Europe must allow all individual members from all social classes to allow their trajectories and tell their stories. This will diminish that nationalist fear of losing their domestic culture and instead potentially replace it with community collectivism which inevitably enhance Europe's promise and can help strenghten European identity.

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