CONSTRUCTING EUROPE? THE EVOLUTION OF FRENCH, BRITISH AND GERMAN NATION STATE IDENTITIES

In: Journal of European public policy, Band 6, Heft 4, S. 614-633

Abstract

THIS ARTICLE TACKLES THE FOLLOWING PUZZLE. WHY IS IT THAT PEOPLE CANNOT OBSERVE MUCH EUROPEANIZATION OF "ANGLO-SAXON EXCEPTIONALISM" OVER THE PAST FIFTY YEARS WHILE "GERMANNESS" HAS SPELT EUROPEAN SINCE THE END OF THE 1950S AND "FRENCH EXCEPTIONALISM," AT LEAST RECENTLY, ALSO COMES IN EUROPEAN COLORS. IT ARGUES THAT A COMBINATION OF THREE FACTORS ACCOUNTS FOR THIS VARIATION IN THE EXTENT TO WHICH NATIONAL STATE IDENTITIES HAVE BECOME EUROPEAN. THE FACTORS ARE EACH IDENTIFIED AND DETAILED.