Introduction

Abstract

The consolidation of the European Union (EU), a deliberate attempt to integrate European states — among them many former enemies — into an intricate network of common trade, social, cultural, and other policies, represents one of the most important geopolitical events of the twentieth century. Starting out as a predominantly economic organization resulting from the aftermath of the Second World War, over the years the Union’s institutions received significant political powers from its member states and in turn created a supranational model of governance for Europeans. As a result, EU citizens today have many commonalities: a political economy in which state and market closely interact, a cultural tradition that acknowledges common historical determinants, border-crossing governance institutions, a broad humanist philosophy, and a tradition of generally accepted welfare politics.