National v. European identities? French and Germans in the European multi-level system

Abstract:

Following a multi-level governance approach, this article sees the spread of multiple - i.e. national as well as European - identities as a prerequisite for the legitimization of the European level of governance. Using Eurobarometer data and comparing France and Germany, a decline of multiple identities is seen, especially in Germany, since the 1980s. The article asks whether national and European identities stand in contradiction to each other and traces the emergence of a new cleavage along social and ideological lines. The results show the growing impact of social stratification variables indicating a potential social base for national-populist parties.