Between Ethnic-Nationalism, Civic-Nationalism and Cosmopolitanism: Discourses on the Identity of the EU and the Debates on Turkey's Accession

Year 2009, Volume: 8 Issue: 2, 1 - 23, 16.06.2009

Sara Kahn-nisser

Abstract

This paper seeks to contribute to our understanding of the issue of collective identity in the EU, and its
relation to the process of enlargement. Through an analysis of the European Parliament's (EP) debates
on the accession of Turkey, I will show that the issue of European collective identity is essential for
understanding the EP's position towards Turkey. I will explicate the view on inclusion and diversity in
the EU, implicit in speeches made in the EP. My analysis will show that there is a complex, two-way
relation between the members of the European parliament's (MEP) views on inclusion and diversity in
the EU, and their position towards Turkey. Another conclusion has to do with the relation between
state nationalism and European integration. My findings suggest that the EP is quite indifferent
towards state-national identities and cultures, and does not see them as assets to be preserved.

Keywords

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