Globalisation as a Hidden Stimulus of the Growth of European Territorial Identity

Abstract

The issue of identity becomes a subject of an enlarged interest especially in view of progressing European integration. This paper is a reflection on the growing extent of the consciousness of European territorial identity and tries to uncover the underlying factors of this development. It is empirically well documented that Europeans can be increasingly characterized by multiple territorial identities, i.e. simultaneous identities to a variety of territorial communities. It is argued that exclusive identities as an inseparable part of European history and memory acted as one of trigger mechanisms of nationalism. Therefore, the shift from exclusive identities to the over-arching European identity seems to be desirable supplement to the current integration process. There is ample evidence that European administration supports the creation of European identity. Officially, fostered idea of European identity has found a striking and unexpected ally in the form of globalisation. Global processes became one of the stimuli of the growth of multiple territorial identities. Since the same applies to European territorial identity, individuals increasingly find themselves within European territorial identity, individuals increasingly find themselves within European context as well. The main aim of this article is thus to illuminate and conceptualise the relation between globalisation and territorial identities, with special emphasis on European territorial identity.