The perception of a collective identity is of great significance for policy-making processes. This paper substantiates the following claims: collective identities are socially constructed and the political attention toward a shared European identity has steadily grown within the past decades. This shift is visible within the legal framework of the Erasmus project which has become the EU's flagship in terms of identity shaping processes. While the 1987 decision on establishing Erasmus lacked indicators of an identity-shaping purpose the renewed Erasmus+ regulation puts a clear focus on the idea of creating a European mindset.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Section 1 – Theoretical Framework
3. Section 2 – How is European identity constructed in the legal framework of the projects?
4. Conclusion
Research Objectives & Topics
The primary objective of this research is to analyze the discursive construction of a collective European identity within the legal frameworks of the Erasmus programme, from its inception in 1987 to the current Erasmus+ regulation, while investigating how the underlying political focus has shifted from economic objectives toward a broader socio-cultural mindset.
- Theoretical analysis of collective identities through sociological institutionalism.
- Discourse analysis of the 1987 Council Decision (ERASMUS), the 1999 Bologna Declaration, and the 2013 Erasmus+ Regulation.
- Evaluation of the shifting focus from economic "human resources" to European citizenship and mindset.
- Examination of political spillover effects and the instrumentalization of identity by political elites.
Excerpt from the Book
Section 2 – How is European identity constructed in the legal framework of the projects?
According to the fact that the ERASMUS project was primarily built upon economic objectives it is reasonable to wonder why it is often referred to as being the EU's flagship for contributing to a European mindset. In order to find out, my analysis examines the regulatory framework of the project. The following discourse analysis explores to what extent the idea of creating closer ties among European cultures and minds can be found in the depicted primary sources and in what way this depiction has changed from the early 1987 directive to the 2013 regulation, which is still in force today.
Referring back to the theoretical framework established in the first section, there are clear indicators that European identification is socially constructed. The 1993 DeClercq Report (Reflection on Information and Communication Policy of the European Community) serves as a famous example in this respect, There is not, as such, a European public opinion. Expectations vary considerably from one country to another, depending on the economic, political and cultural situation. There is little feeling of belonging to Europe. European identity has not yet been engrained in peoples’ mind […] Europe and the Institutions responsible for its construction must not remain remote and abstract. They must be brought close to the people, implicitly evoking the maternal, nurturing care of ‘Europa’ for all her children. (DeClercq in Höjelid 2001, p. 7)
With that in mind, I will have a closer look on the 1987 Council Decision 87/327/EEC on adopting ERASMUS, the 1999 Bologna Declaration and the 2013 Regulation No. 1288/2013 on establishing ERASMUS+ in respect to its construction of European identity.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the research paper, outlining the historical context of the Erasmus programme and the central research question regarding the significance of collective European identity in policy-making.
2. Section 1 – Theoretical Framework: This chapter establishes the sociological and constructivist foundation for understanding collective identities, defining core concepts like norms, values, and socialization within institutional organizations.
3. Section 2 – How is European identity constructed in the legal framework of the projects?: This chapter provides a discourse analysis of three key legal documents to demonstrate the shift in rhetoric from market-oriented economic objectives to identity-shaping social goals.
4. Conclusion: This chapter synthesizes the research findings, confirming that the evolution of the Erasmus programme reflects a broader trend of European integration driven by political spillover and the cultivation of a shared mindset.
Keywords
European identity, policy-making, social constructivism, Erasmus, Bologna Declaration, European integration, sociological institutionalism, collective identity, European mindset, Erasmus+, European citizenship, political spillover.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper examines how a collective European identity is constructed within the legal and regulatory frameworks of the Erasmus programmes.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
The central themes include the social construction of identity, the evolution of European integration policies, and the shifting focus of EU education programmes from economic objectives to cultural and social values.
What is the primary research objective?
The objective is to identify and analyze a discursive shift in the Erasmus framework, moving from a purely economic "human resources" model to one that actively promotes a shared European mindset.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The research employs a discourse analysis approach grounded in sociological institutionalism and social constructivist theory.
What is the structure of the main body?
The main body consists of a theoretical framework defining identity, followed by a comparative discourse analysis of the 1987 Council Decision, the 1999 Bologna Declaration, and the 2013 Erasmus+ Regulation.
Which keywords best describe this study?
Key terms include European identity, social constructivism, policy-making, Erasmus+, European integration, and sociological institutionalism.
How did the 1987 Erasmus decision differ from the 2013 Regulation regarding objectives?
The 1987 decision focused primarily on economic utility and producing "human resources," whereas the 2013 regulation emphasizes socio-cultural goals, active citizenship, and the construction of a European identity.
What role does the Bologna Declaration play in this analysis?
The Bologna Declaration is analyzed as a critical link that shifted the focus of European higher education toward shared values and social norms, paving the way for the identity-shaping focus of later EU regulations.
How does the author explain the "political spillover" effect?
Political spillover is described as the process by which initial cooperation in economic areas creates a necessity for deeper integration and the promotion of a shared European mindset to maintain legitimacy.
- Citar trabajo
- Elena Mertel (Autor), 2018, The significance of creating collective Identities for European policy-making, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/498134
