New Books in Critical Theory Hans Kundnani, "Eurowhiteness: Culture, Empire and Race in the European Project" (Oxford UP, 2023)
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Jan 1, 2026 Hans Kundnani, a researcher on European politics and author of Eurowhiteness, delves into the complex interplay between race and the European project. He shares how his mixed heritage shaped his views on identity. Kundnani critiques the EU's historical ties to colonialism and argues that pro-Europeanism resembles nationalism. He discusses the EU's shift towards ethnic identity, the impact of the 2015 refugee crisis on culture and politics, and how Brexit revealed distinct relationships to European identity among minority voters.
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Personal Origins Of Euro Identity
- Hans Kundnani describes his mixed Dutch-Indian family background and how it shaped his uneasy relationship with European identity.
- He explains that having one parent from an EU founding state made him feel more European than some Brits but never fully European.
Europe's Identity Rooted In Christianity And Whiteness
- Kundnani traces European identity from Christendom to Enlightenment and colonialism, linking modern Europe to whiteness.
- He argues post-1945 narratives that Europe broke from these older ideas are incomplete because ethnic-cultural notions persisted.
EU Integration Had Colonial Origins
- Kundnani and other scholars show early European integration had colonial aims, notably the 'Eurafrica' project linking Europe and its African colonies.
- He calls this the 'original sin' of integration and says many EU policy experts remain unaware of it.
