Hopes and fears: attitudes towards the EU and its enlargement Gabriel Bianchi Barbara Lášticová Slovak Academy of Sciences Bratislava

Interest in the unification of Europe

Impact of the EU membership

2 Discourses Hopes counterbalanced by fears: Structural aspects & functioning of EU Unity among EU states „New – old“ tolerance and differences Economy – pros and cons „Genuine“ hopes and „genuine“ fears –not mutually counterbalanced Global position of Europe Political culture Mobility Identity

Subjective meanings of the EU enlargement (1) HOPE for structural changes within the EU Democratisation of decision making at the EU level (Bilbao) and more transparency (Germany); Better control of corruption practices at the national level (Bratislava); Creation of institutions with more power over national interests and with general legislation competencies (Germany). FEAR of the dysfunction of the EU institutions Lack of transparency or democracy in European decision- making Obscure bureaucratic structures; Excessive centralism within the EU; Senseless instructions from Brussels; (Austria, Edinburgh, Bratislava and Prague).

Subjective meanings of the EU enlargement (2) HOPE for more unity and cooperation More strength and union among EU members (Madrid); Intensification of existing connections, more trade and cultural exchange (Germany); Strengthening of European identity and togetherness - also thanks to the economic integration and the use of euro (Edinburgh, Germany). FEAR of lack of unity Impossibility of reaching understanding in an enlarged Europe (Madrid). Lack of unity within Europe, quarrelling between European countries and the lack of a “European opinion” must be avoided in the future (Austria).

Subjective meanings of the EU enlargement (3) HOPE for tolerance and openness towards the Other Cultural exchange, openness and tolerance (Madrid Edinburgh, Germany) Overcoming of historical problems and conflicts (Austria); Less xenophobia within CR (Prague); FEAR of substantial differences between new & old members Are new member states prepared for joining the EU ? - democracy, culture, mentality, historical experience, economy, standard of living (Germany); No “full EU citizenship rights” for new member states´ citizens since the very beginning (Bratislava, Prague); Deepening of differences between actual EU members and other European countries (Bratislava, Prague), danger of a European nationalism (Austria).

Subjective meanings of the EU enlargement (4) HOPE for economic benefits Economic benefits stressed mainly by Czechs and Slovaks; The “old” member states will benefit as well because of the opening of new markets and fighting unemployment (Germany, Edinburgh). FEAR of economic problems Transfer of EU subsidies to new members (Spain, Germany). Germany to finance the enlargement (Germany). Competition for Czech enterprises (Prague). Life even more expensive (Germany, Slovakia). Cheap labour and highly qualified experts’ competition (Austria, Germany and Spain). EU regulations in the food production (Czech and Slovak).

Subjective meanings of the EU enlargement (5) „Genuine“ hopes (not counterbalanced by fears) Global position of Europe - common “defence” against mainly US global dominance (Manchester, Germany, Austria, Bratislava, Prague); security and less risk in case of military conflict (Germany); Political culture - a guarantee of respecting civic rights in their country and hope to benefit from the EU experience with democratic legislation; Higher status in European/global politics (Bratislava, Prague). Mobility - free circulation, work and study mobility (in all the sites of study); appreciation of travelling freely without a passport (Bratislava, Prague).

Subjective meanings of the EU enlargement (6) „Genuine“ fears (not counterbalanced by hopes) Identity concerns Possible loss of national and cultural identity and danger of cultural homogenisation (Bratislava, Prague, Germany, Austria). “Small” countries: fears of being dominated by big countries within the EU (Austria, Czech and Slovak republics). Some UK participants revealed their reluctance to abandon the national currency - a symbol of national identity....

Subjective meanings of the EU enlargement (7)... Identity concerns in Bratislava and Prague - not central but recurrent, they are clearly a matter of argument: “I’m not particularly against the EU, but I don’t like this unification. If I think of history, I find it strange… everybody fought for independence and sovereignty of their nation and it is simply disappearing now. It feels like as if everybody forgot about it.” Pavla-Prague “I don’t think there will be many costs. Many people say, that we won’t preserve our identity and that we will loose our pickled blue cheese and “svíčková”, but the current EU states have kept their character…” Tomáš-Prague

Conclusions Challenges for policy actions: (1)Opening a qualified pan-European public debate on: (a) identity transformation in an enlarged EU (b) global position of EU, its limits and tools. (2) Providing support and empowerment to the democratization of "everyday politics" in the "new" member countries. (3) Facilitating the work and study mobility.