Abstract

The main aim of the deliverable is the construction of a synthetic indicator of EU citizens’ identification for the survey conducted within the PERCEIVE project. Clearly, a first question is why we need such a synthetic indicator when we ask individuals directly about their identification with Europe? The easy answer to this question is related with the complexity of the concept and how and if we approximate it correctly with a simple question in a survey. In order to capture the concept of European identity, individuals are usually asked if they feel Europeans in their everyday life, if they feel close to the European Union project, or if they are happy to be Europeans. Alternative questions propose the use of inverted scales, for example if they feel that Europe is worthless. In that regard, Mendez and Bachtler (2017) identify a list of questions on European identity, grouped into five categories: - Geographical belonging: Usually captured by the answer to a question such as “To which of these geographical groups would you say you belong first of all? And the next?” Once considering the locality or town where the respondent live, the region or country or Europe, if respondents answer Europe in first or second place one can think on some sort of European feel of belonging. - Thinking of self as European: the basic question is if the respondent think of him/herself as a citizen of Europe often, sometimes or never. Other alternatives include a comparison with national identity, such as “Do you ever think of yourself as not only (nationality), but also European?” Clearly, a cognitive aspect is involved in this type of question. - Attachment to Europe/EU: attachment is used as a synonym of being close or emotionally close to Europe. This is an emotionally measure of identity. - National versus European: in addition to the national/European comparison, a prospective demand is proposed: “In the near future do you see yourself as (nationality) only, (nationality) and European, European and (nationality), European only?” The requested evaluation proposes a look for the future. - Proud to be European: another type of emotional evaluation is the request on the satisfaction or gratification linked with being proud of being European: “And would you say you are very proud, fairly proud, not very proud, not at all proud to be European?”