At first glance, globalization and Europeanization are similar; and, in a way, they are. Both intend to build a polity that escapes the Westphalian state; but there are substantial differences. Whereas globalization is about moving towards "global village" that is to make the world and its peoples same in just about any possible way, including culture, Europeanization builds diversity into the integration process. Thus, Europeans are to live by the spirit and rules of liberal democracy; yet, how they do so is not to be identical. Furthermore, Europeanization is incomparably more successful delivering what it has promised and planned, for there is a European community – the European Union – after all. By contrast, the world, although more and more globalized, is far from creating a global community.

While comparing globalization and Europeanization, we will look at the most important aspects of both. We will examine the changing role and nature of the state and the new forms of governance; we will explore the role of markets as a factor of societal change; and we will look at the changing notions of sovereignty, legitimacy and, ultimately, democracy. Finally, we will analyze new types of citizenship and collective and individual identity.