Europe faces a challenge similar to that faced in the 18th century. At that time was invented the democratic nation-state and in its wake, the concept of citizenship. Considered as a political individualised regardless of original affiliation, each citizen plays a role in defining the political and legal order of his country and this is done in a forward-looking way. However, this approach is opposed to the current nationalist tendencies that have been trying to lock people in a collective identity linked to original affiliation and a backward looking vision.
In spite of this, a new vision of State has been emerging within the European Union. It has nothing to do with a new State, but mostly with institutionalised cooperation. Citizens who have acquired their political identity can become European citizens, even if their original country is not part of the Union.