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European identity as a unifying category: National vs. European identification among native and immigrant pupils

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  • Orhan Agirdag
  • Karen Phalet
  • Mieke Van Houtte

Abstract

This article investigates whether European identity is a feasible and functional alternative to national identity. We examine the extent, determinants and consequences of national and European identification among (immigrant) Turkish and native Belgian pupils, with data gathered from 1629 pupils across 68 Belgian schools. The results show that immigrant Turkish pupils identify more strongly with Europe than with Belgium. The groups are closer to each other with respect to their European identification, while the latter is not in conflict with national identification. Moreover, European identity is less ethnically and more civically defined than national identity. Importantly, European identification was moderately related to academic achievement, though it is hard to make a causal claim.

Suggested Citation

  • Orhan Agirdag & Karen Phalet & Mieke Van Houtte, 2016. "European identity as a unifying category: National vs. European identification among native and immigrant pupils," European Union Politics, , vol. 17(2), pages 285-302, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:eeupol:v:17:y:2016:i:2:p:285-302
    DOI: 10.1177/1465116515612216
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Thomas Vroome & Maykel Verkuyten & Borja Martinovic, 2014. "Host National Identification of Immigrants in the Netherlands," International Migration Review, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 48(1), pages 76-102, March.
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    4. Orhan Agirdag & Petra Huyst & Mieke Van Houtte, 2012. "Determinants of the Formation of a European Identity among Children: Individual‐ and School‐Level Influences," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 50(2), pages 198-213, March.
    5. Thomas Risse, 2012. "Identity Matters: Exploring the Ambivalence of EU Foreign Policy," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 3, pages 87-95, December.
    6. Richard Alba & Nancy Foner, 2014. "Comparing Immigrant Integration in North America and Western Europe: How Much Do the Grand Narratives Tell Us?," International Migration Review, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 48, pages 263-291, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Waqas Ejaz & Marco Bräuer & Jens Wolling, 2017. "Subjective Evaluation of Media Content as a Moderator of Media Effects on European Identity: Mere Exposure and the Hostile Media Phenomenon," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 5(2), pages 41-52.

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