Citizens' Identities: The Ties That Bind?

Theoretical accounts argue that a shared European identity is fundamental for the future of EU (e.g. Habermas, 1998), but there is little empirical research that substantiates this claim. I examine whether a shared European identity affects attitudes toward EU policies that require cross-national solidarity, such as transnational fiscal transfers. I draw on literature in social psychology, which finds that cooperation and solidarity is stronger within groups than across groups. Hence, it can be crucial whether individuals see citizens in other EU countries as members of their in-group or merely as foreigners. A European identity should make it more likely that citizens in other EU countries are seen as in-group. Following this reasoning, I develop hypotheses on the substantive implications of a shared European identity for the mutual support among Europeans.

The data source is a four-wave longitudinal panel data set. I surveyed 1500 German students before, during, and after participating in the European student exchange program Erasmus. I record a significant increase in identification with Europe among students who went abroad. To test hypotheses, I examine to which extent the increase in self-identification as Europeans spills over into policy preferences. I focus on transfer payments to other European countries and the extent to which Europeans are willing to include citizens from other EU member states into their society. Preliminary results indicate that the link between a shared European identity and solidarity among Europeans exists, but is conditioned by political left-right orientation and whether respondents are libertarian or authoritarian.