Original scientific paper
Regionalization Today, Centralization Tomorrow
Krunoslav Vukelić
Abstract
Half-a-century old idea of united Europe, which rose from primarily (and maybe only from that) economic interests of western-european states, finally begins to realize in a formal way. However, it is still not so clear what is Europe becoming to be: some kind of confederation of european states or it is federal state in emerging process? However, the question of one universal european identity, which will comprise elements of all european nations, have been debated a posteriori. Although it is emphasized as principle that Union will respect national identities of member states, it is obvious that EU see principle of “Europe of regions” as more acceptable and stimulate strong-as-possible internal regionalization of european states, with decaying of national identities as hidden goal. In base of all regional movements was unrealized will for their own national state or, at least, greater autonomy in state in which they are belonging, and also dichotomy center-periphery in which that entities feel that they are exploited by the center. But all present regional movements abandoned that political goals because of two reasons: 1) in 1994. EU formed Commitee Of Regions, institution in which regions can put up their requests; 2) theoretically, multi-level decision-making model in EU theoretically assure stronger relative power to regions than they had in parent states. From the other side, we consider that multi-level principle as illusive and temporary because legislation of European Constitution will lead to federalization and centralization of power in European Union. Therefore encouragement of regionalization and regional identities is only one chapter of making national border softer and weakening of national identities of “old” Europe with purpose of creation over-national european identity and centralized political system.
Keywords
REGIONALISM; NATIONAL IDENTITY; EUROPEAN IDENTITY; EUROPEAN UNION; NATIONAL STATE
Hrčak ID:
13686
URI
Publication date:
30.6.2005.
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