The Poles: Myths and Reality: 2 (Post-nationality in the European Union's East and North)

Among the EU states in Eastern and Northern Europe, Poland is the most populous one. In terms of its economic forté and financial balance sheet, it was not a clear-cut conclusion that Poland ought to join the EU. Thus, the Poles' decision, made in a referendum, to join, may be interpreted as their self-identity resolution: an unequivocal assertion that they are first and foremost Europeans. This volume demonstrates that the Polish nationality, which only existed for a few decades when Poland joined the European Union, was fledgling (from a research point of view) but ancient in terms of the mythological sentiments sensed by the Poles. The quality of nationality was deeply rooted, vibrant and multi-generational just as the Poles crowned over themselves a pan-European sovereign (the EU) which was preferred over their own unique nationality; thus expressing their centuries' old, deep-seeded desire to be an integral part of Europe.