DISCOURSE THEORY AND EUROPEAN IDENTITY

This article by S. Bozic-Vrbancic reviews some of the discourse theory approaches to the identity issues and their implications for analysis of European identity. There is a great wealth of literature on European identity and the article concentrates on those works that cover topics on "European culture" (issues on "language", "multiculturalism", "heritage", "belonging", "boundaries", "identification"). In reviewing these approaches, the author reasserts the value of synthesis between Ernesto Laclau"s discourse theory and Lacan"s thought as elaborated by Slavoj Zizek in the analysis of processes of identification in contemporary Europe. The theme is discussed by Jasna Capo Zmegac, Lidija Nikocevic, Jadranka Grbic and Vedrana Spajic-Vrkas.