The Eurozone Crisis: Psychological Mechanisms Undermining and Supporting European Solidarity

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.

Posttraumatic Stress During the Greek Economic Crisis: Is There Evidence for Mass Traumatization?

“…These arguments are consistent with both the context and findings of the present study. Reese and Lauenstein () conclude that the unequal distribution of resources within the European Union has fuelled nationalism and intolerance, claim best supported by the recent sharp rise of Golden Dawn, the Greek Neo‐Nazi party. A fringe political organization of the extreme right with no more than a few thousand supporters before the crisis, Golden Dawn obtained almost 7% of the vote in the last two national elections and is now the third biggest party in the Greek parliament.…”

Social Identities in a Globalized World

“…According to the theory, the superordinate prototype of Europeans defines the positive standard in this intergroup comparison. Thus, the extent to which Germans or Greeks view themselves in relatively more favorable terms depends on how representative they see themselves of Europeans (see also Reese & Lauenstein, 2014).…”

Two Countries in Crisis: Economic Inequality in the EU and Disidentification With Europe in Spain and Greece

“…According to the common in-group identity theory, identification with a broader common identity promotes social harmony and cohesion among the members of the different subgroups that compose it (Gaertner & Dovidio, 2000). Disidentification with the superordinate European identity could be considered as a manifestation of a lack of social cohesion within the European family, which may potentially lead to negative and conflictive attitudes and behaviors (Reese & Lauenstein, 2014).…”