† This study has been conducted under the auspices of the EURONAT Project: Representations of Europe and the Nation in Current and Prospective Member States: Media, Elites and Civil Society, funded by the European Commission, DG RTD, Key Action Improving the Socio-economic Knowledge Base (contract no. HPSE-CT2001-00044). The author would like to thank Vassiliki Triga (former PhD student at the European University Institute and research assistant to the EURONAT project in 2003) who conducted and transcribed the interviews that are analysed in this study. Special thanks also to Atsuko Ichijo, Ruby Gropas and Bo Strath for reading and commenting upon earlier versions of the paper.
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Popular perceptions of Europe and the Nation: the case of Italy
Article first published online: 10 APR 2008
DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8129.2008.00321.x
© The author 2008
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How to Cite
TRIANDAFYLLIDOU, A. (2008), Popular perceptions of Europe and the Nation: the case of Italy. Nations and Nationalism, 14: 261–282. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8129.2008.00321.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 10 APR 2008
- Article first published online: 10 APR 2008
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Keywords:
- Eastern enlargement;
- European identity;
- Italy
ABSTRACT. To date, European identity has not mobilised a feeling of belonging or solidarity that would be comparable to the ways in which national identities stir people's passions and make them ready ‘to die for’ their nations. However, much of the related political debate and scholarly analysis has paid little attention to citizens' understanding of European identity and the way this relates to national identity. This paper aims to contribute towards filling this gap. It explores qualitatively the relationship between national and European identity among Italian citizens with a view to answering the following research questions: How do Italian citizens define Europe? Who is a European? How does feeling European relate to feeling Italian? How do citizens perceive the European integration process? The article is based on 24 qualitative interviews with Italian citizens of varying age, gender, locality of residence and socio-economic status, conducted in spring and summer 2003. The methodology adopted follows the discourse analytical tradition.