ABSTRACT
Chapter 8 (“Conclusions: What Do We Learn from Euro-minorities?”) brings together the main results from quantitative and qualitative research, and discusses them with the state-of-the-art of European identities. Furthermore, this chapter identifies research desiderata and perspectives for the future research on European identity. The chapter is structured into three larger parts: The first section discusses the interplay of European, national and ethnic identities; the second section focuses on European identity of ethnic minority groups; and the third section presents what we learn from the ethnic minorities’ instrumental, cultural and civic considerations regarding the emergence and the content of European identities. The book concludes that a stronger focus of the EU on regulations for corporations and reduction of social inequalities is expected to contribute to a stronger European identity. Considering the ongoing political polarization in Europe, it argues that a European identity that is based on feelings of belonging together, on mutual respect and acknowledgment of differences might allow people to identify with Europe and the EU, which now feel excluded from Europe.
