Founding Myths in Europe and the Role of the Holocaust

Abstract

The following contribution starts with some theoretical reflections on the question of how polities gain legitimacy, and how we can value the role of founding acts or founding myths in this context. Secondly it takes a closer look at the history of the EU. What were the forming and uniting elements of the EU's development, and what made the EU such a successful story? Finally, it moves to some of the current dilemmas of the European Union in creating political identity. Here it focuses particularly on the attempt to declare the Holocaust a founding event that would help to create an overarching political identity beyond the institutional framework of the EU.

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