ABSTRACT
There is a growing body of literature addressing the contradictions, ambivalence and difficulties implicit in the twin issues represented by the construction of Europe (as a clearly defined supranational body, at least institutionally) and of European citizenship. The latter is seen as an embedded dimension with specific contents in terms of rights and duties, substantially adding to national citizenship in each EU member country, e.g. Habermas 1992; Weiler 1998; Delanty 1998; Rusconi 1998; Emerson 1998). Though adopting different perspectives and approaches, the literature points to the intrinsic tensions between nation-state and supra-state polity (as well as the contrasting conceptions of Europe as supranational body), and between national citizenship and European citizenship. It also underlines the contrast between the instrumental view of the Union and a view which sees the Union as a society consisting of its own citizens, not by the member countries’ citizens.
