European Identity and Its Changing Others

Taking its clue from Finnish experiences with identity politics, this lecture introduces
the concept of collective identity. Collective identity is about forging an acting ‘we’.
It constitutes the polis, and is therefore basic to any politics. Constituting the polis is a relational
act: the group in question constitutes itself by drawing up and maintaining boundaries
towards other groups. Drawing on these insights, the bulk of the lecture discusses European
identity in term of Europe’s relations to some of its constituting others. Pointing to the
importance of not sealing itself off from its Muslim citizens and neighbours, the lecture ends
with a plea for Turkish EU membership.