It has been argued that the emergence of a European collective identity would help overcome growing disparity caused by the increasing diversity of today's European Union, with 28 member states and more than 500 million people. Research on European integration is facing the pressing question of what holds 'Europe' together in times of crisis, growing distributional conflict and instability in its neighbourhood. This book departs from the ideas of group cohesion in the EU, and reflects on the newest dynamics and practices of European identity. Whilst applying innovative qualitative, quantitative and experimental research methods and an interdisciplinary approach, this volume looks at a variety of issues such as European citizenship, mobility of European citizens, space-based identities, dual identities, student identity and value-sharing. In doing so, this volume presents new perspectives on this complex and dynamic subject and points to potential solutions both in the academic discourse and the political practice of the EU. This text will be of key interest to scholars and students of European integration, European studies, international relations, citizenship studies, political sociology as well as more broadly in the social sciences.

It has been argued that the emergence of a European collective identity would help overcome growing disparity caused by the increasing diversity of today's European Union, with 28 member states and more than 500 million people. Research on European integration is facing the pressing question of what holds 'Europe' together in times of crisis, growing distributional conflict and instability in its neighbourhood. This book departs from the ideas of group cohesion in the EU, and reflects on the newest dynamics and practices of European identity. Whilst applying innovative qualitative, quantitative and experimental research methods and an interdisciplinary approach, this volume looks at a variety of issues such as European citizenship, mobility of European citizens, space-based identities, dual identities, student identity and value-sharing. In doing so, this volume presents new perspectives on this complex and dynamic subject and points to potential solutions both in the academic discourse and the political practice of the EU. This text will be of key interest to scholars and students of European integration, European studies, international relations, citizenship studies, political sociology as well as more broadly in the social sciences.

This book shines new light on the political system of the European Union (EU) by focusing on civic resources as a keystone of the EU's ability to sustain. Less-tangible resources such as trust, solidarity, mutual recognition and citizens' social and political participation have been, until now, largely ignored in the research on European integration. Due to the fundamental changes to the EU in recent years and the challenges ahead, European citizens have become increasingly critical of a long-lasting unification process in Europe. This volume theoretically and empirically examines how the European citizens themselves may contribute to the long-term effectiveness, legitimacy and endurance of the EU. This book aims to examine the issues associated with the utilization of civic resources by the EU, and the ability of European citizens to develop transnational civic resources. Expert contributors in the field develop a framework to understand and explore the potential of citizens in the uncertain future of the EU. Civic Resources and the Future of the European Union will be of interest to students and scholars of European Politics and European Union Studies.

This book shines new light on the political system of the European Union (EU) by focusing on civic resources as a keystone of the EU's ability to sustain. Less-tangible resources such as trust, solidarity, mutual recognition and citizens' social and political participation have been, until now, largely ignored in the research on European integration. Due to the fundamental changes to the EU in recent years and the challenges ahead, European citizens have become increasingly critical of a long-lasting unification process in Europe. This volume theoretically and empirically examines how the European citizens themselves may contribute to the long-term effectiveness, legitimacy and endurance of the EU. This book aims to examine the issues associated with the utilization of civic resources by the EU, and the ability of European citizens to develop transnational civic resources. Expert contributors in the field develop a framework to understand and explore the potential of citizens in the uncertain future of the EU. Civic Resources and the Future of the European Union will be of interest to students and scholars of European Politics and European Union Studies.

"Danke, danke, danke" - so war ein Beitrag ubertitelt, der im vergangenen Jahr in der - chenzeitung DIE ZEIT (24. 07. 2008, Nr. 31) veroeffentlicht wurde. Den Recherchen des Autors zu Folge scheint die wenig glamouroese Wissenschaftswelt von einer ahnlichen - flation der Danksagung erfasst wie die Nachte der Oscar-Verleihung in Hollywood. Denn das "Dankeschoen" hat sich auch in wissenschaftlichen Publikationen seinen Platz erobert und schickt noch dem schwierigsten, kompliziertesten und trockensten Stoff etwas m- schliche Warme voraus. Aus diesem Grund sei es auch an der Zeit, eine wissenschaftliche Dankesforschung zu etablieren, die sich systematisch mit den Adressaten, Zwecken und Zielen von Danksagungen in Fachpublikationen befasst. Hiermit liefere ich ein weiteres Studienobjekt ab, wenngleich ich vorwegnehmen will, dass meine Danksagung tatsachlich - und ohne jeden strategischen Hintergedanken - einzig und allein dazu dienen soll, mich bei all denen zu bedanken, mit deren Hilfe und Unterstutzung ich dieses Buch schreiben konnte. Entstanden ist dieses Werk als eine leicht uberarbeitete Fassung meiner Habilitatio- schrift, die im Herbst 2008 von der Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaftlichen Fakultat der Universitat Potsdam angenommen wurde. Dort durfte ich viele Jahre lang lehren und f- schen. Deshalb danke ich zuerst Klaus H. Goetz, dessen wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin ich war und der meine Habilitationsschrift mit begutachtet hat. Ihm danke ich fur zahlreiche Denkanstoesse, fur seine Rucksichtnahme auf ein enges Zeitbudget und die Moeglichkeit einer dreimonatigen "Auszeit" vom Universitatsalltag, um diese Schrift fertig stellen zu koennen.

Im Rahmen der "Potsdamer Elitestudie 1995" werden empirisch fundierte Antworten auf die Frage angeboten, welche Faktoren die Akzeptanz der bundesdeutschen Funktionselite unterminieren und welche sie foerdern und stabilisieren koennen. Im Mittelpunkt steht dabei das Vertrauen in die Fuhrungsschicht des vereinten Deutschlands (Elitenvertrauen). Obwohl nicht von einer Vertrauenskrise der Bevoelkerung in die Fuhrungsschicht im Jahr 1995 gesprochen werden kann, finden sich klare Belege fur Unzufriedenheit, vor allem mit den Eliten der Politik. Dabei sind es weniger Zweifel an den Fahigkeiten der Fuhrungskrafte, als vielmehr enttauschte Erwartungen der Burger, die das Potential in sich bergen, das Elitenvertrauen in der Bundesrepublik zu untergraben.