Nation State and European Identity (Identity‪)‬

1. Introduction Is there a European identity is a question that is not easy to answer. At least, whatever answer we give, it will not cover all the issues necessary. On the other hand, we face here three major terms: Europe, Identity, Nation. It is very hard to find common explanation and understandings of these terms. the problem is that social scientists have no common definition. Big difficulties occur when there is no consensus about the use of the term "Identity" or "Nation". Schools of thought have very different and diametrically opposite views for these phenomena thus giving us no choice than to embrace few of them which we consider right to question how Europeans see themselves in terms of national and European identity in times of globalization, post-communism and postmodernism. Difficulties which one of the greatest authorities in research on nation and nationalism today Anthony Smith finds in creating common understanding of nation can also be broaden to identity and related clash of "national" and "European". He states (1) failure to make consensus in determining field boundaries, (2) terminological difficulties and absence at least temporarily agreement on key terms definitions, (3) deep divide among basic paradigms and methodology, (4) divergent research programs and interests in the field and (5) different value orientations in ethnicity and nationalism questions (Smith, 1998: 225, 226). In this article, we will try to find answer in what way is European identity involving and try to find out if the transculturalism is value basis for European identity Also, we will try to understand that European identity does not destroy national one.