The Challenge ahead: situating Europa

Abstract

The aim of this thesis has been to understand the road that European Union identity can take. The thesis argues that 'European' identity is a misnomer because the emerging identity represents a process that emerged out of Europe but is not dependent on every definition of it. European Union has been an undetermined process from its inception which has experienced numerous successes and setbacks. Neither the successes nor the setbacks are in themselves a testament on the future shape of the European Union. The shape of the European Union and its identity will be the result of a process that is still continuing and thus one can not predict the nature of this incipient identity. One can only determine the road that this identity might take. This thesis argues that the road it will take will be through the negotiations and bargainings of the member states, institutions and people. Hence it is an ongoing process that acts in a dialectic fashion of redefinition instead of moving towards a ready made definition and entity. The definition of Europe and the political entity of the European Union will be defined at the end of this process.