Crisis-Tested Europe – Solidarity with Ukraine Spurs European identity

SUERF Policy Note, Issue No. 268

Posted: 9 May 2022

See all articles by Heinz Handler

Heinz Handler

Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO); Vienna University of Technology - Institute of Statistics and Mathematical Methods in Economics, Research Group Economics (ECON); Policy Crossover Center Vienna-Brussels

Date Written: March 10, 2022

Abstract

Ever since its foundation, the European Union (EU) has struggled to develop a collective “European identity”, while being exposed to the challenges of globalization, financial disturbances, migration, Brexit, and the coronavirus. However, the hitherto unimaginable Russian inroad on neighboring Ukraine is about to spur a new wave of solidarity. The present analysis underlines the added value of European integration, which is particularly cherished in times of crisis. However, this should not obscure the differences in political history, economic structures, and diverging challenges in the member states. Notwithstanding the Ukraine crisis, the idea of a full-fletched political union is still a long way off, and it is, therefore, worth aiming for second-best solutions, such as some form of differentiated further integration. The ongoing Conference on the Future of Europe offers an opportunity to evaluate such concepts, including a major revision of the EU’s security strategy.

Keywords: Globalisation, migration, liberal and illiberal democracy, European identity, euro crisis, Brexit, COVID-19 pandemic, Ukraine conflict, differentiated integration

JEL Classification: A12, E58, E65, F15, F22, F36, F45, F52, F60, G28, H87, I18, J15, K38, N14

Suggested Citation

Handler, Heinz J., Crisis-Tested Europe – Solidarity with Ukraine Spurs European identity (March 10, 2022). SUERF Policy Note, Issue No. 268, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4055214

Heinz J. Handler (Contact Author)

Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO) ( email )

P.O. Box 91
Arsenal 20
Vienna, A-1103
Austria
+43 1 79826010 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www.wifo.ac.at

Vienna University of Technology - Institute of Statistics and Mathematical Methods in Economics, Research Group Economics (ECON) ( email )

Wiedner Hauptstraße 8/105-3
Vienna, 1040
Austria

HOME PAGE: http://www.econ.tuwien.ac.at

Policy Crossover Center Vienna-Brussels ( email )

Vienna
Austria

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