descent („common ancestry’ in the survey).4 Moreover it also contains the item of
„common history and common destiny’, a characteristic that is commonly
associated with an ethnic understanding of nationhood. The survey was held in
Great Britain, East and West Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, Austria, Hungary,
Czech Republic and Poland and contained the following question on national
identity:
Different things or feelings are crucial to people in their sense of belonging to a nation.
To what extent do you agree with the following statements?
“I feel (NATIONALITY) because I share with my fellow (NATIONALITY) ...
1. I do not feel (NATIONALITY)
2. A common culture, customs and traditions
3. A common language
4. Common ancestry
5. A common history and a common destiny
6. A common political and legal system
7. Common rights and duties
8. A common system of social security/welfare
9. A national economy
10. A national army
11. Common borders
12. A feeling of national pride
13. National independence and sovereignty
14. Our national character
15. Our national symbols (the flag, the national anthem, etc.)
14