Bulletin n. 1-2/2014
November 2014
CONTENTS
  • Section A) The theory and practise of the federal states and multi-level systems of government
  • Section B) Global governance and international organizations
  • Section C) Regional integration processes
  • Section D) Federalism as a political idea
    • Andreas Follesdal
    A Common European Identity for European Citizenship?
    in German Law Journal , vol. 15, issue 5 ,  2014 ,  765-775
    Over the past two decades, authors, many of whom are included in this volume, have addressed several salient foundational issues concerning citizenship in Europe. Others in this volume address some of these issues—such as the relationship between national and European citizenship regarded as multilevel (Rainer Baubock and Ulf Bernitz), the relationship between citizenship and legal human rights (Samantha Besson), the relationship between citizenship and political rights in particular (Agustin Menendez and Jo Shaw), and citizenship and social rights (Stefano Giuboni). This essay elaborates on the need for shared values among those who share citizenship in Europe, as either citizens of Member States engaged in multilevel governance or as Union citizens. The European crisis has increased the call for such values, and also shows that people contest these values. The issues include: What is the responsible exercise of political rights in national elections with repercussions for EU governance, how to trust authorities at all levels concerning human rights, the extent of cross-border solidarity at the risk of free-riders, and the trust that the political and legal order will remain responsive to the best interests of all affected. To invoke a slightly different issue, what sort of shared European identity is required for Union citizenship to represent part of a sustainable, just European political and legal order? Which substantive values and beliefs should be shared? And is there a need for “unique” values and beliefs, exclusive among those who share citizenship? This essay addresses the following issues: Section B affirms the need for some shared values; Section C explores aspects of European citizenship such a shared identity; and Section D denies the need for a shared “thick” cultural identity. Likewise, Section E questions the need for unique values. Finally, Section F points to several challenges concerning identity and citizenship in a Union with asymmetric federal elements, especially when subjected to asymmetric shocks.
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