Communications in Humanities Research ISSN: 2753-7072
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Research Article

Symbolic Threats and National Identity Construction: The Name, Language, and Territorial Disputes in North Macedonia's EU Accession Process

Yujie JiangBeijing Foreign Studies University*

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract

Theoretical approach of the external constraints that the North Macedonia meets in its path to the EU accession from the perspective of national identity construction for recognition, as the name dispute with Greece and Bulgaria about the country’s name, language and historical-territorial claims is of great interest. Qualitative case analysis and “symbolic threat” theory from social psychology as a core analytical framework, in this study, will be systematically analyzed and explored the “symbolic threat” mechanism and identity politics in these two cases. The research results show that the national names, language and territory are not only the basic content of national identity, but also the space for contesting power and history in international politics, and have a significant impact on the process of North Macedonia's European integration. This study explores how symbolic threat affects the EU accession process in national identity conflicts and reveals the impact of national identity on international political decision-making and national destiny.

Keywords: Symbolic Threat; National Identity; European Union; European Integration
Published: January 20, 2026
DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/2026.BJ31323
Volume: CHR Vol.101
pp. 1-9
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