Question

"But assuming that national identities will persist, can a European identity be built alongside them or over them? Is there such an identity, and if not, is it desirable? Is there, or can there be, such a thing as European patriotism?"

-Leszek Kolakowski, "Can Europe Happen?" The new Criterion, May 2003

Based on this excerpt, what is the main challenge to the formation of a European identity?
A. the reduction in cultural diversity among European people
B. from the doubt over whether national identities should persist to the doubt over whether European identities should persist
C. the ongoing growth of European patriotism
D. the existence of national identities within Europe

Answer 1

The answer would be letter d.  European identity can be understood, not as an individuality that is outside or anti-national, but as an internal change of national identities. In these terms, it is not a circumstance of European versus national identities, but of the Europeanization of national identities that is important. Therefore it is the circumstance that many national identities have originate within the scheme of European integration.