THE EUROPEAN-COMMUNITY STRATEGY TO DEVELOP A EUROPEAN IDENTITY

Comparing theory on traditional nation-building within nation-states o f Western Europe with the strategy the European Community has applied in an effort to develop the citizens' European identity, there are rem arkable similarities; e.g. the European Community has put emphasis on symbols (flag, stars) and invented traditions (hymn, Europe Day), myth s, rewriting history and strenghtening the concept of a common Europea n culture. Nation-building tends to create both popular opposition and conflicts with already established identities. The strategy, aiming a t standardizing impulses from the elites to the citizens, is penetrati ng in its expressions. In view of a possible supra-nation-building pro ject within the European Community, this reflection is highly relevant - notably related to the widespread opposition to the Maastricht trea ty - raising the question whether conflict between different Political levels - national and supranational -is unavoidable.