Constructivist as well essentialist concepts of identity, and especially of cultural identity, have failed. Based on a new sociological concept of a relational cultural identity, this book poses the question of European identity as a contradictory process of identity formation. The result is a surprising one: Europe, with its historically developed representations, symbols, narratives, sense of belonging, values and norms, is well suited to an emergent global social order with diverse forms of coexistence. Written in clear and non-technical language, this book is addressed to sociologists, social theorists and philosophers, cultural and political scientists, social psychologists and anthropologists as well as to politicians, and it is also suitable for a general audience, and for students of sociology, cultural studies, political sciences, philosophy, anthropology and European studies.

Constructivist as well essentialist concepts of identity, and especially of cultural identity, have failed. Based on a new sociological concept of a relational cultural identity, this book poses the question of European identity as a contradictory process of identity formation. The result is a surprising one: Europe, with its historically developed representations, symbols, narratives, sense of belonging, values and norms, is well suited to an emergent global social order with diverse forms of coexistence. Written in clear and non-technical language, this book is addressed to sociologists, social theorists and philosophers, cultural and political scientists, social psychologists and anthropologists as well as to politicians, and it is also suitable for a general audience, and for students of sociology, cultural studies, political sciences, philosophy, anthropology and European studies.