Dimensions of elites‘ political identity formation in Central and Eastern Europe

1. Dimensions of elites‘ political identity formation in Central and Eastern Europe Heinrich BestUniversity of JenaPresentation prepared for the conference“Elites and the formation of political identity in post soviet space; global influences”King’s College, Cambridge, 27 November 2009

2. collective political identity feeling of • sameness • belongingness and • common destiny or purpose directed to a • political entity (party, political movement, state or federation) and shared by • a large collective. Heinrich Best - Cambridge 2009

3. mass identity formation • essentialist understanding: unique core or essence of mass identities (ethnic origins, “authentic” cultural traditions) • constructivist understanding: constructed or invented character of mass identities (first “composed” than “imposed”) • “historical constructivism”: ‘”invention” or “construction” of mass identities is … constrained and directed by specific historical givens and experiences shaping the collective memories and conditions of living of the same population” (Best 2009) ‘… the adjustment of the idea of the nation to the situational constraints of the relevant agents involves its conceptualization in terms of indigenous traditions.’ (Greenfield 1992 ) Heinrich Best - Cambridge 2009

4. national identity, concept of nation • ‘[…] concept of “nation” […] cannot be stated in terms of empirical qualities common to those who count as members of the nation. […] means above all, that it is properto expect from certain groups a specific sentiment of solidarity in the face of other groups’. (M. Weber, EAS 922) • ‘[…] concept “nation” directs us to political power. […] refers us to a specific kind of pathos which is linked to the idea of a powerful political community [which] may already exist or may be desired’. (M. Weber, EAS 398) Heinrich Best - Cambridge 2009

5. the role of elites • Elites are the creators and creations of mass political identities. “Creative” role of intellectuals and politicians in composing and imposing mass political identities, … • … but they are sorcerer apprentices… • … and cannot manipulate mass political identities at will. • Identity implies sameness and continuity. Heinrich Best - Cambridge 2009

6. History matters! Heinrich Best - Cambridge 2009

7. dimensions of mass identity formation Heinrich Best - Cambridge 2009

8. hypothesis The challenges encountered in the process of mass political identity formation will lead to a sharper definition of collective identities, a stronger identification with and commitment to one’s own community. Heinrich Best - Cambridge 2009

9. distinctive features of mass political identity formation in Central and Eastern Europe • Imposition of foreign rule by multinational empires (Osman, Russian, Austro-Hungarian). Delayed formation of independent nation states in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. • Enforced inclusion in the informal Soviet Empire or loss of independence through annexation by the Soviet Union. Challenged mass political identity formation in Central and Eastern Europe. Heinrich Best - Cambridge 2009

10. research question Is there a distinct pattern of mass political identity in Central and Eastern European post communist countries? Heinrich Best - Cambridge 2009

11. sample configuration • 80 Political Elites • National MPs incl. 5-15 MEPs • Proportional Quota according: • Age (under 50 vs. 50+), Sex, Tenure (Newcomer vs. Senior MPs) • Top Politicians (former or present Ministers, Junior ministers, Presidents and Vice Presidents of the House / Parliamentary Groups / Standing Committees, EU Commissioners) • Territorial Distribution (constituency/region of residence) if applicable • 40 Economic Elites • Leaders (CEO or Board Members) of main business associations, major bank groups and companies selected from a list of `Top 100´, ranked according to balance sheet total and number of employees. • 1000 General Population • Proportional Quota according: Sex, Age, Region, Ethnicity • Total: • 18 Countries • 1411 Political Elites • 730 Economic Elites • 17138 General Population Heinrich Best - Cambridge 2009

12. territorial coverage 1st IntUne survey • Elite + Mass Surveys • Austria • Belgium • Bulgaria • Denmark • Estonia • France • Germany • Great Britain • Greece • Hungary • Italy • Poland • Portugal • Serbia • Slovakia • Spain • Only Elite Surveys • Czech Republic • Lithuania • Only Mass Survey • Slovenia Heinrich Best - Cambridge 2009

13. samenessnational: to have national parents – very important Heinrich Best - Cambridge 2009

14. samenessnational: to be born in [country] – very important Heinrich Best - Cambridge 2009

15. samenessnational: to share cultural traditions – very important Heinrich Best - Cambridge 2009

16. samenessnational: to be a christian – very important Heinrich Best - Cambridge 2009

17. samenessnational: to master [language of country] – very important Heinrich Best - Cambridge 2009

18. samenessnational: to respect [national] laws / institutions – very important Heinrich Best - Cambridge 2009

19. samenessnational: to be a country citizen – very important Heinrich Best - Cambridge 2009

20. belongingnessattachment to [country] – very attached Heinrich Best - Cambridge 2009

21. belongingnessattachment to Europe – very attached Heinrich Best - Cambridge 2009

22. destiny and purposemember states to remain central actors of EU – agree strongly Heinrich Best - Cambridge 2009

23. destiny and purpose European Commission to become the true EU-government– agree strongly Heinrich Best - Cambridge 2009

24. destiny and purposeimmigratin from non EU countries – big threat Heinrich Best - Cambridge 2009

25. destiny and purposeinterference of Russia in European affairs – big threat Heinrich Best - Cambridge 2009

26. destiny and purposeinclusion of Turkey – big threat Heinrich Best - Cambridge 2009

27. destiny and purposeinclusion of countries other than Turkey – big threat Heinrich Best - Cambridge 2009

28. destiny and purposemake European economy more competitive Heinrich Best - Cambridge 2009

29. destiny and purposeeffects of globalization on welfare – big threat Heinrich Best - Cambridge 2009

30. destiny and purposecommon system of social security – strongly in favour Heinrich Best - Cambridge 2009

31. destiny and purposea unified tax system – strongly in favour Heinrich Best - Cambridge 2009

32. destiny and purposerepresentative of the citizens of your country (Political Elites) Heinrich Best - Cambridge 2009

33. summary of results – part I • In all dimensions of political identity (cognitive, normative, conative) there are large differences between countries, sometimes spreading between 0% and 90% approval rates. • There is no pan-European consensus about the bases and consequences of mass political identities! • Within countries there are also marked differences between political elites, economic elites and the general population. • Elites tend to agree less to ascriptive criteria of national identity and they tend to be more attached to their countries than the general population! Heinrich Best - Cambridge 2009

34. summary of results – part II • CEE countries do not form a coherent “block” in the rankings of countries. At least there are outliers (mostly Serbia). • But there are large clusters of CEE-countries which stand out by their elites’ • support for ascriptive criteria of nationality (born in country, national parents, share of cultural traditions) • hesitation to cede rights of national sovereignty to the EU • concern about Russian interference in European affairs (except for Bulgaria and Serbia!) • concern about immigration to Europe from non-EU-countries • priority of economic competitiveness over the development of the welfare state Heinrich Best - Cambridge 2009

35. theoretical implications • Mass political identities are “made to measure” for specific polities and societies. There are very few elements of mass political identities common to all 18 countries included in our study. • Elites and masses diverge in their expressions of political identities. • Political identities do reflect historical experiences (even distant ones), leading to a clustering of CEE-countries (with some internal differentiation). • Communalities of challenged nation building in the CEE-states: • historically late and challenged nation building • forced inclusion in the Soviet empire • late joining of the EU • geographical situation at the periphery of “core” Europe Heinrich Best - Cambridge 2009