ABSTRACT
The process of European integration has its internal temporal logic according to which
a common market and the political institutionalization of the European Union have
emerged as ‘the future in process’. Economic and political integrative aspirations
could be technically processed and deliberated only against the background of
‘imagined Europe’. The imagination of European and national political leaders and
a generally shared feeling of belonging, common destiny and identity inspire their
political deliberations and decisions leading to the ever closer union.
