Perceptions of shared European culture increase the support for the European Union

Political theorists debate whether a European identity rooted in shared cultural values is a necessary foundation for deeper integration within the European Union (EU). A new article by the INVENT team explores this issue through a constructivist lens, examining how Europeans perceive their shared culture and its relationship to their support for the EU. Specifically, the authors investigate: (a) whether Europeans recognize a common European culture, (b) if they value this culture more than others, and (c) if they feel proud of European cultural heritage. These questions are addressed using data from the INVENT 2021 survey conducted in nine European countries, including both EU and non-EU member states. The findings indicate that both the recognition of a shared European culture and its positive valuation, whether inclusive or exclusive, are positively correlated with support for the EU.

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