The construction of a European identity in Malta, Ireland and France

Abstract

The concept of identity is surrounded by the problem of multidimensionality and this worsens in relation to Europe, hence, the concept of a European identity bears a lot of variables. The main objectives of this dissertation are to analyse the concept of European identity, taking into account its various dimensions and to qualitatively analyse the processes by which a transnational identity is being constructed within Malta, France and Ireland. This dissertation is based on the idea that through political discourse of political elites within the respective countries, a collective European identity is being constructed. In this context, the aim of this dissertation is to answer the question of how a European identity is being constructed within Malta, Ireland and France.

Through adopting a case study on each member state selected, specifically analysing the discourse used by the political elites, this dissertation attained certain findings. The main argument of this dissertation is that European identity is a fluid concept, evolving through a process. This dissertation further argues that within different communities, there are distinctive variables that assemble different identity constructions. However, communalities amongst Europeans are identified arguing that history, religion, values and culture are recurring aspects in political elites’ discourse. This study will show how a European identity is being constructed in Malta, Ireland and France.