Introduction Between Individualization and Globalization: The Long-Term Premises to Free Movement

Abstract

When Paul, Pablo and Paolo think about a united Europe, what do they see? According to the Eurobarometer, which has repeatedly put this question to a sample of citizens from all the countries of the European Union, there are no doubts on the matter. ‘Freedom to travel, study and work anywhere in the EU’: this is the answer given, year after year, by the majority of the interviewees. It is not the euro, nor democracy, nor peace among nations, but rather free movement which epitomizes the EU in the minds of Europeans.¹