The Unbearable Lightness of Being European: a Discourse Analytical Study About the Construction of the European Union and Its Citizens

What is European Union and who are its citizens? Is acontinent-wide community just a dream or a realisticpolitical project? This research shows how theEuropean top-politicians perceive the institutionsand the goals of the European Union. By analysingconcepts such as sovereignty, democracy, citizenshipand identity it asks what and especially who goesunder the European Union. What kind of politicalorder is created through European integration andwhat does this new order mean for the Europeans? Whatkind of values, believes and practices are needed inorder to be a successful citizen of the EuropeanUnion? And most importantly, can the European Unioncreate loyalty and solidarity among the Europeans?