Negotiating Equality and Diversity: Transnational Challenges to European Citizenship

Abstract

This chapter addresses gender equality and ethno-national diversity in democratic politics focusing on issues of EU citizenship as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the European Public Sphere. We propose that the intersectionality approach can contribute to understand the contestations by political actors about (gender) equality, ethno-national diversity and religion. These contestations can be interpreted as a sign of a vibrant public sphere with potentials to evolve into solidarity movements, as well as a dangerous sign of the growth of right-wing anti-migration forces. The migration and refugee crisis has challenged democracy, equal rights and social justice, but, at the same time, the transnational arena is potentially the only feasible alternative to solve the migration and refugee crisis and to develop timely concepts of democracy.