Forging an EU-Identity through popular sports

The simple bare necessities

Bachelor Thesis , 2012 , 56 Pages , Grade: 2,0

Politics - General and Theories of International Politics

This thesis aims at responding to the question, to what extent popular sport can make a contribution to the genesis, the implementation, and the fostering of a mutually acknowledged and experienced EU-identity. With sport being the major social movement in Europe - unique in its efficiency in bringing people together, being a drive for integration, bridging any kind of borders and its nonpareil ubiquity - its implementation on a European level targeting the European Union people through popular sports will sustainably and remarkably promote the idea of an EU-identity. As an example for a small but utterly profound project, the idea of a European Sports Badge (EUSB) is presented as a transnationally implementable proposal, involving and addressing EU-citizens of all nations, sexes and ages. It should be noted, though, that sports are certainly not a panacea.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Preface: An EU Masterpiece at the Olympics
• Mapping the road
  • What happened so far…
  • Analyzing present and potential future challenges for the EU.
  • Together we stand, divided we fall: Expounding the necessity of a mutually acknowledged EU-identity.
  • The EU White Paper on Sport
• The European Union and its prospective identity
  • One multifaceted EU-identity
    • The nature of an EU-identity
      • Territory: Border lines and exclusion.
      • Language: The confusion of tongues.
      • Legal framework and politics
      • History: Experience and roots.......
      • Community: Legitimacy and control..
      • Values: The dynamic key benchmark....
      • Common symbols .........
    • Transnational Identity..
  • The seven pieces of a blueprint for an EU-identity...
  • Advantageous pluralism and demanding necessities..
• The European Union Sports Badge: One simple, smart and sustainable project ........
  • Popular sports literally favorable.........
    • Professional sports in any spotlight.
    • A dwarfed section.
  • The project: EUSB: Compilation and objectives ......
  • Testing the EU-identity blueprint..
    • Territory..
    • Language..
    • Legal framework
    • History......
    • Community..
    • Values..........\li>
    • Common symbols
  • Side effects.......
  • Institutionalizing Europeanization.........

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This thesis explores the potential of popular sports to contribute to the development and strengthening of a shared EU identity. The main objective is to analyze how sport, particularly through the proposed European Union Sports Badge (EUSB), can foster a sense of belonging and shared values among European citizens.

• The need for a mutually acknowledged EU-identity
• The potential of popular sports to promote integration and a sense of belonging
• The development of a blueprint for an EU-identity based on seven key components
• The EUSB project as a transnationally implementable proposal to promote EU-identity
• The importance of considering the role of professional sports alongside popular sports in fostering EU-identity

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Preface: This section introduces the thesis by highlighting the unifying power of sport and emphasizing the importance of a shared EU-identity, particularly in light of the European Union's success at the 2012 Olympic Games.
• Mapping the road: This chapter provides a historical overview of efforts to foster a shared EU-identity, examines current challenges, and emphasizes the necessity of an EU-identity for the future. It also introduces the EU White Paper on Sport as a key document informing the thesis.
• The European Union and its prospective identity: This chapter explores the multifaceted nature of an EU-identity, breaking it down into seven key components: territory, language, legal framework, history, community, values, and common symbols. This analysis paves the way for a comprehensive understanding of what constitutes an EU-identity.
• The European Union Sports Badge: One simple, smart and sustainable project: This chapter introduces the EUSB project, emphasizing its potential to foster a shared EU-identity through popular sports. It outlines the project's objectives, tests the EU-identity blueprint against the EUSB, and explores the project's potential side effects and its role in institutionalizing Europeanization.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The core focus of this thesis lies in exploring the potential of popular sports to contribute to the development of a shared EU-identity. Key terms include EU-identity, popular sports, European Union Sports Badge (EUSB), transnational integration, shared values, and the role of sports in fostering a sense of belonging. This research delves into the intersection of sporting practices, social cohesion, and political identity formation, ultimately aiming to identify effective strategies for strengthening the European Union through the power of sport.

• College: University of the Federal Armed Forces München
• Grade: 2,0
• Author: Stephanie Theresa Trapp (Author)
• Publication Year: 2012
• Pages: 56
• Catalog Number: V284608
• ISBN (eBook): 9783656843221
• ISBN (Book): 9783656843238
• Language: English
• Tags: forging, eu-identity