Can a European consciousness be created‪?‬

Italians only eat pasta; all Swedish girls look gorgeous and the Germans only listen to folk
music. These stereotypes do not specify whole nations but still paint pictures people can
identify with. “The European” picture does not exist yet – neither on a culinary, nor on an
aesthetic or musical basis. To get on with the European idea, a European Identity is inevitable.
Without it, integration will never work to a satisfying extent and Europe cannot become the
much-quoted “ever closer Union”. Only with a common identity will people be willing to
stand up for each other and only with such an identity will the European Parliament and the
Commission be fully legitimised. The first step into that direction is the creation of a
European Consciousness, the idea to make people think of Europe as much as they think of
their respective nationality. This essay will therefore analyse the concept of a European
Identity and then break it down to the first steps to be taken – the idea of a European
Consciousness.
Chapter 2 will first define the term of identity and then sketch the specific problems that arise
in Europe where so many different identities are already established. It then draws up the
image of a possible long-term identity for the citizens of the Union’s member states. Chapter
3 examines the process of setting this identity up, taking a closer look at several different
agents that could help to speed up the process. Finally the conclusion summarizes the chances
for a European Consciousness leading to a legitimising identity.