Cohesion policy and European identity

Abstract

The article deals with “European cohesion policy and identity”, placing the theme in the economic, social and territorial framework discussed by the authors. Europe seeks to understand all the mechanisms that can relaunch the dream started in 1957, strengthen the European identity and, with it, the process of unification. In this context, the European Union has recently wondered how the implementation of cohesion policy can play a role in bringing European citizens closer to the supranational institution. How does the principle of solidarity that animates and regulates EU regional policy contribute, in addition to the primary objective of redistributing the benefits of the single market, to promote a sense of identity of citizens towards Europe? The work, among others, by Risse (2003) on the introduction of the Euro and Sigalas (2010) and Kuhn (2012) on the Erasmus programme are examples of a research project that has never examined the impact of cohesion policy on European identity. It is clear that such evidence suggests the relevant implications in the relationship between implementation of cohesion policy and strengthening European identity if there is a dissonance between the objective needs and those perceived by citizens.

Keywords

Cohesion policy; Europe; urban economy; governance; Local authorities; European Union

JEL codes

R58; F15; H77