The book presents results from the Cultural patterns of the European enlargement process (CULTPAT) project. Based on a qualitative, trans-disciplinary social science approach the study combines analytical skills from the fields of contemporary anthropology, political science and history of ideas. The book aims to reconstruct the cultural patterns of identity constructions on a local/regional, national and European level since 1989/90. It draws Special attention to the fields of political discourse and policy making, which are perceived through conflicting representations on the said levels and as a potential danger posed by or to the enlargement process.