The Economics of Stolen Pride and the European Order of Recognition

The article analyzes the process of transforming material economic losses into moral anger and resentment, labeling it the 'economics of stolen pride.' The author points out that the sense of exclusion and loss of social status are exploited by the radical right to build narratives of betrayal and identity theft. Although the European Union implements financial instruments, such as the Just Transition Mechanism or cohesion policy, to mitigate the effects of transformation, technical support does not replace the deficit of moral recognition. As a result, the gap between material support and the need for dignity becomes fuel for the growth of radical forces in the European Parliament, which offer a simple answer to citizens' identity crisis.