National, Post-National and European Identities in Germany

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• I. Introduction: Nation, State, Nationalism, and Identity
• I.1 Why Study (German) Post-National Identities?
• I.2 State of the Art
• II. Theoretical Framework
• II.1 Guiding Theoretical and Empirical Conceptions
• II.2 Operationalization
• III. Method of Analysis
• III.1 Interview Technique
• III.2 Group Formation
• III.3 Interview Surroundings
• III.4 Structure of the Interview
• III.5 Problems
• IV. The Findings - German Post-National Identities
• IV.1 Perception of World War II and Awareness of EU-Citizenship
• IV.2 How is the EU Pictured?
• IV.3 The Emergence of a Constitutional Patriotism
• IV.3.1 Cultural Values
• IV.3.2 Democratic Values
• IV.4 Priority of the Nation
• IV.4.1 The EU as 'Substitute Love'? - Attachment to the EU in Contrast to Germany
• IV.4.2 Who may have Decision-Making Power?
• V. Conclusion of the First Results
• VI. A European Collective Identity
• VI.1 We-Feeling
• VI.2 What is the EU and what is it not? – In-Groups and Out-Groups
• VI.3 A Common Memory
• VII. Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This work aims to examine the evolving concept of identity in Germany within the context of European integration. It explores how the process of Europeanization has challenged traditional notions of national identity and fostered new forms of post-national identity.

• The erosion of national sovereignty in Europe due to globalization and European integration.
• The emergence and characteristics of post-national identities in Germany.
• The relationship between national and European identities in the German context.
• The potential for a shared European identity and its implications.
• The role of historical events, such as World War II, in shaping contemporary German identity.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The Introduction provides a theoretical framework for understanding the relationship between nation, state, nationalism, and identity. It explores the historical evolution of national identities and the challenges posed by globalization and European integration.

The Theoretical Framework chapter delves into the conceptual and empirical underpinnings of the research, outlining the theoretical and methodological approaches employed in the study.

The Method of Analysis chapter describes the research methodology, focusing on the interview technique, group formation, interview setting, structure, and potential challenges.

The Findings chapter presents the results of the study, exploring the perceptions of German citizens regarding World War II, European Union citizenship, and the emergence of a post-national consciousness.

The Conclusion of the First Results chapter summarizes the key findings from the research, highlighting the relationship between national identity and European integration.

A European Collective Identity chapter analyzes the potential for a shared European identity, examining the factors contributing to a sense of "we-feeling" among Europeans.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The key themes of the work include post-national identity, European integration, national sovereignty, German identity, European identity, constitutional patriotism, and globalization. These themes are explored through the lens of historical analysis, sociological research, and interviews with German citizens.