How to Measure or not to Measure National and European Identity – Problems in Quantitative Approaches and Possible Directions of Solution

The measurement of collective identity in surveys leaves open relevant questions and sometimes causes doubt in validity. To illustrate the problems, the paper will at first deal empirically with two types of measures: Self-identification in different forms – where similar questions produce rather different results in levels. And these indicators do not tell us much about the organizing principle of multiple identities. Subjective meanings of identity – where the empirical structure of the indicators often do not match the theoretical experienced types of identity (as like ethnic/civic), cause problems of cross-national equivalence and often do not combine with the intensity of identification in a meaningful way. The second part shall deal theoretically with some reasons for these problems. Finally, ideas to deal with these problems will be developed.