Institutions for Conflict Resolution (COI)

Adapting EU law to human nature

The individual in the EU: The application of insights from social psychology to improve the legitimacy and conflict-solving capability of the EU

This project uses insights from social psychology in an innovative way to explain why the legitimacy of the EU is declining among its citizens. Our hypothesis is that the EU is forming a threat to the social identity of citizens and is therefore undermining its own perceived legitimacy among citizens. We aim to study this hypothesis and to subsequently process the insights achieved in EU law in order to reinforce the legitimacy of the EU.  This research project contributes to the sector plan by expanding our understanding of legitimacy, using empirical research methods, and translating insights into specific points of reference for the courts.