Europeanisation, National Identities and Migration ... - europeanization

76 Richard Münch
abandon parties since they feel strong enough to maintain themselves in the
competition of an ever more open society, whilst the others do so as they no longer
believe these parties can offer them the desired protection against the growing
competition from outside. The typical social democratic electorate is dissolving
in the context of society’s differentiation process. This phenomenon is another result
of the interplay of Europeanisation and globalisation, on the one hand, and of
internal differentiation, on the other.
Regionalist movements come to life since, on the one hand, the nation-state no
longer offers the support required and, on the other, as both the European single
market and the world market submit the regions and local communities below the
level of the nation-state to a stronger competition between locations. Therefore,
the stronger regions want to discharge part of their commitment toward the weaker
ones, whilst the weaker regions count on that support in the wider European
framework, support which they believe is withheld from them by their own nationstate
centre.
The above-mentioned process of abstraction and differentiation of the collective
consciousness in the context of European integration can be excellently underlined
with data from Eurobarometer surveys. An avant-garde of 4 per cent of the
national populations are developing a European identity, thus standing out
against national ties; a small group of 6 per cent combines both identities whilst
giving preference to Europe; a larger group of 42 per cent still see themselves first
and foremost as members of their own nation, but secondarily also as Europeans;
no less than 45 per cent, however, still consider themselves exclusively members
of their own nations (European Commission 1999: B13). Accordingly, they still
expect the nation-state to offer a collective solution to current problems. Therefore,
they react with uncertainty to the nation-state’s dwindling integrative and problemsolving
power. They are ill-prepared for a self-responsible lifestyle. As a result, they
provide potential supporters for right-wing populist and right-wing extremist
counter-movements to the process of Europeanisation and globalisation. In this
process, the nation-states have to pass the crucial test between the diverging
movements of modernisers and traditionalists, Europeans and nationalists (Münch
1998: 306–19). The conflict is enhanced by the fact that it is linked with the differentiation
of national societies according to education, income and professional status.
The turning toward Europe and the related modification of national solidarity
is, above all, a matter for the higher status groups, whilst clinging to the nation
primarily involves the lower groups (European Commission 1999: B31).
The new Europe: democracy without demos
It is striking to note that the dissatisfaction with democracy at the European level
goes hand in hand with the lack of a turn toward Europe and a lower status
with regard to education, income and profession (European Commission 1999:
B19). The generally low degree of satisfaction with democracy at a European level
triggered a feverish search for an adequate remedy to this so-called European
democracy deficit (Reif 1992, 1993a, 1993b). Most proposals in this direction,