Is there a “European Identity”?

Every individual has an identity that results from the intertwining of vertical elements (family, community, nation, Europe) and horizontal factors (language, religion, and level of education). The collective identity of large groups of people, who are connected by common characteristics, exists on different levels, the most significant of which is the nation. In contrast, the “European identity” has remained a multi-layered, vague term, which lacks a uniform concept and continuously adapts to the changing internal and external conditions. Regional and national identities are more deeply rooted than the awareness of belonging to a European collective. However, this does not have to be a disadvantage, as national identities—as long as they do not degenerate into chauvinism—can serve as a prerequisite and model for a European identity.