Europeanization and Democratization - CIRES

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Europeanization and democratization are reflected in redefinition of their
cultural and national identities. They simultaneously follow some values
shaped by a number of inherited historical developments, but also the values
transferred by foreign European influences.
Cultural development in the region and redefinition of cultural identities are
moving from the policy of representation of national identities to the policy
of recognition of different cultural identities, and to intercultural
communication. Such processes might be slow, but they reflect essential
social changes. They are at the same time transitional and democratic and
they orientate Southeastern European societies and cultures to
Europeanization. It could be said that transition has started by the
affirmation of national identities and national states, but also that the
transitional processes are introducing multicultural realities.
All national states in the region have discovered that they are multinational,
and that their identities need to reflect social and cultural realities, not just
abstract concepts of nationness. Nevertheless the functional performance of
the states in the region remains rather poor. The inadequate functioning of
states has to be subjected to reforms and reorganizations.
Cultural identities in all Southeastern European countries remain strong
point in democratization processes and in the efforts to integrate into the
EU. The identity changes reflect also the prevailing political attitudes and
the positions towards transitional reforms.
Implementation of reforms is linked to the accepted strategies and political
positions, which strongly influences cultural and national identification. In
this respect the move from the policies of national representation to the
policies of full observance of human rights might be connected to the slowly
developing regional cooperation. Although Southeastern Europe does not
represent an interconnected region, the change in the cultural approach to
the region is a relevant issue in the further regional development. It may
provide for balanced multicultural relationships and tolerance. This is what
national cultures demand when their integration into EU is discussed. Their
national states should guarantee observance of the same rights, i.e. the
minority rights, on the local level. This makes processes of integration and
democratization parallel.
Redefined cultural identities remain the strong point of intercultural
relationships: if the relationships among cultures are established, the overall
communication is facilitated. Such positions support democratic
developments and Europeanization of the Southeastern European region.