The Eurozone Crisis: Psychological Mechanisms Undermining and Supporting European Solidarity

Gerhard Reese and Oliver Lauenstein
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Gerhard Reese: Integrative Research Unit on Social and Individual Development (INSIDE), University of Luxemburg, Route de Diekirch, Walferdange 7201, Luxemburg
Oliver Lauenstein: Department of Personality Psychology and Psychological Assessment, University of Bamberg, Markusplatz 3, Bamberg 96047, Germany

Social Sciences, 2014, vol. 3, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Europe has become a vivid example of intergroup dynamics with all the risks and chances it holds for peaceful and respectful co-existence. While Europe as a superordinate social category has the capability of solidarity between its subcategories ( i.e. , nations), negative emotions and behaviors among the countries’ citizens have become more prevalent throughout the emerging crisis. This article aims to analyze the psychological outcomes ( i.e. , negative attitudes) following on from the structural and economic imbalances within the European Union. More precisely, we argue that political reactions towards the Euro crisis facilitated routes to nationalism and thereby fostered supremacy in a few countries. This perceived supremacy of some countries, in turn, legitimized negative reactions towards others. Based on predictions from a social identity perspective, we describe how these processes perpetuate themselves. We also suggest strategies that might prevent the idea of a common Europe from failing.

Keywords: the euro crisis; intergroup behavior; prototypicality; negative attitudes; social identity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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