Constructing Europe: Insights from historical sociology

This article argues that one of the benefits of mainstreaming sociology in EU studies is the potential to better understand the underpinnings of the EU's political authority. In particular, the use of macrohistorical approaches and insights from the sociology of culture literature can help us see what is innovative about the EU as an emergent political form while highlighting the tensions in its claims on European citizens' loyalty.

This article is part of the special issue 'Mainstreaming sociology in EU studies'.