European identity beyond the nation-state. Plurality and inclusion for a new democratic space

4 1. Identity and Globalisation The theme of identity has been treated by a considerable number of scholars adopting different approaches. It remains an open concept, increasingly shaped by growing interdependencies in the international system and globalisation processes taking place since the end of the Second World War. In the thesis specific reference will be made, among others, to the Indian economist Amartya Sen and to the German sociologist Ulrich Beck. Their contributions to the ongoing debate are very useful to understand the complexity and the dynamism of identity-building and offer a precious set of theoretical instruments with which facing an ever changing reality. The focus within the context of the thesis will be on the social and political dimensions of identity, the sense of belonging to a collectivity and the policies related to identity-building, in particular as far as the European Union is concerned. The subject is very interesting and stimulating, as it lies at the base of modern and contemporary politics: if radicalised, it has been cause of dramatic wars during the 20 th century (e.g. in former Kosovo and Rwanda); if handled rightly, it has been a key for the political leaders to manage critical situations as well as to consolidate their political power (e.g. De Gaulle’s “Politics of Grandeur” during the 5 th French Republic). However, the way of thinking about identity has been gradually changing in these last decades as a consequence of the increasing erosion of the power of nation-states and the emergence of new international and transnational actors on the world scene, such as the United Nations, The European Union, but also multinational enterprises and NGOs. Phenomena like the globalisation of the economy, mass migrations from the Third World Countries to Europe and North America or the international communication technologies (e.g. Internet) have made it more difficult for the individual to clearly define his own identity and lifestyle while facing a growing set of new options and possibilities. The scientific progress and the technological evolution have made communications and transport much faster than in the past, reducing the relevance of national frontiers