ABSTRACT
The main chapter of the book presents and discusses the focus group findings. Focus groups started with participants selecting images that represented the European Union (EU) for them. The ten images chosen the most often and the reasons behind the choices are first discussed. The chapter then summarises surprising similarities and only few differences in the students views on the EU: Democracy in the EU was perceived similarly across the countries. A number of values such as democracy, human rights, and the rule of law were associated with the EU, and especially non-EU citizens described the EU as an ideal. Quite unexpectedly students expressed strong claims, expecting the EU to become more of a global actor. Students made out three types of gaps in the EU: A democracy gap, gaps between member states, and gaps between citizens. Results overall reveal the students as critical and informed, but rather passive EU citizens. However, students cherish a highly politicised image of the EU: It is a service deliverer, an ideal, and a proponent of peace, liberal values, and democracy. For them, the EU already is a politicised and democratic polity—and it needs to become more of this in the future.
