English Identity, populism and decentralized governance: The Italy-Albania Migration Agreement
Abstract
The European Union started as an elite-driven project focused on meeting mostly economic needs but gradually, it transformed into a complex entity that aims to incorporate sensitive issues like immigration, into its agenda. This jurisdictional transformation has not been matched by a parallel transformation of collective identities. In many member-states populist politicians have tried to exploit this gap by capitalizing on the citizens’ fears. Findings show that ethnocentrism among national actors can intensify EU politicization, particularly during times of crisis. Through the lens of postfunctionalism, this analysis explores the role of national identity in shaping immigration policy, highlighting the 2023 Italy-Albania migration agreement as a case study. The shift towards decentralized governance and externalization of border controls caused by the 2015 migration crisis raises ethical concerns about human rights implications. The EU appears to have no choice but to find a balance between incorporating public preferences to reduce conflicts while also keeping its values intact.