Direct and market governance paths for the creation of an EU political identity: cultural heritage policy

Cultural heritage has a dual nature: it is closely linked to identity creation; it has economic features. The article contrasts two policies pursued by the European Commission: activities to directly develop an EU identity; governing cultural heritage markets. It both can contribute to the creation of an EU create a policy identity and compares them through two subcases: EU creation of public symbols and labels; regulation of cross-border trade in artistic objects. It argues that although the first developed earlier and enjoyed an expansion of Treaty powers, it has met important limitations in terms of specific definitions of values and differentiation from other European identities. The second saw a gradual development of specific EU values and definitions that are differentiated from those of other polities though cultural exceptions to general rules of EU markets or their adaptation. The conclusion points to a different path of political identity creation than that suggested by studies of cultural nationalism for nineteenth century European nation states, one that is related to the EU as a market maker and shaper.