ITALIAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY OF EDUCATION

The process of constructing a European identity has not made much progress in the last few years, and its citizens are tending to recognize themselves only within the nation states. The European Commission believes the European Social Model to be a fundamental factor in developing the identification of its citizens around the idea of a United Europe. The model is based on the necessity of activating a solidarity network and on the recognition of certain social protection rights. This element is fundamental as it brings citizens to recognize themselves as being part of the same community. The emphasis on the solidarity aspect, however, contrasts with differentiated welfare systems and with the differing levels of concrete enforceability of formally recognized rights. Implementing policies which reduce inequalities in the level of social protection between European citizens becomes a fundamental factor in the construction of a new European identity.