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SETTING LIMITS TO EUROPHOBIA ?

SETTING LIMITS TO EUROPHOBIA ?. Recent Developments in Swiss Euroscepticism. Clive H Church BA Ph.D, Emeritus Professor of European Studies, University of Kent, UK. Euroscepticism and European Integration. Zagreb 12-13 April 2007. THE IMPORTANCE OF SWISS EUROSCEPTICISM.

nicholas-schneider
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SETTING LIMITS TO EUROPHOBIA ?

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  1. SETTING LIMITS TO EUROPHOBIA ? Recent Developments in Swiss Euroscepticism Clive H Church BA Ph.D, Emeritus Professor of European Studies, University of Kent, UK Euroscepticism and European Integration Zagreb 12-13 April 2007

  2. THE IMPORTANCE OF SWISS EUROSCEPTICISM A Dual Significance 1. The existence of two forms of opposition to Europe which are sometimes in conflict, and which query party competition theories. 2. Strong and Increasing opposition shown in Growing public reservations on Europe Simplified and reinforced architecture Diluted government policy Widening, deepening and intensifying debate Eroding support for integration

  3. THE ARGUMENT How Switzerland has soft and hard Euroscepticism and what this signifies Switzerland deserves more consideration from students of opposition to Europe not just because of the strength of feeling there, and its unusual dynamics and structure, but also because of the way that mild Euroscepticism is one of the factors which has inhibited the triumph of extremely hard Euroscepticism. All this raises questions about our understanding of Euroscepticism, both on the ground and as a theoretical construct.

  4. AN OUTLINE Introduction and Argument PUBLIC OPINION PARTIES AND MOVEMENTS GOVERNMENT POLICY DEBATE ON EUROPE SUPPORT FOR INTEGRATION CHARACTERISTICS AND CLASSIFICATION LIMITATIONS COMPARISONS AND PROSPECTS

  5. PUBLIC OPINION Declining Support for integration and Entry Doubt spreads into the Suisse Romande Estimates of likelihood of membership drop Lack of consensus Mild scepticism saves Integration ? A European cleavage ?

  6. PARTIES AND MOVEMENTS A simplication of the architecture Implosion and reorientation of small anti European parties Weakening and ambiguity on the centre right Key role of the Action for an Independent and Neutral Switzerland

  7. THE SWISS PEOPLE=S PARTY Large electoral gains, at national and cantonal levels Permanent, and aggressive, campaigning Tightened structures and discipline Widening social recruitment Cross party appeal

  8. GOVERNMENT POLICY The Lessons of the Report on >Europe 2006' Entry moves from being an aim to an option in the search for closer relations with the EU The Reassertion of Swiss interests The Upgrading of the Bilateral Approach Redressing European disparities Greater willingness to resist EU pressures

  9. ANTI EUROPEAN DEBATE An Increasing Focus on European Questions A virtual absence of left-wing critiques Looking beyond the entry question Harsh criticism of bilateral deals Querying of Europeanization ? A growing demand for popular involvement

  10. OTHER KEY THEMES Switzerland as a >Sonderfall= Sovereignty Direct Democracy The Socio-Economic Dimension

  11. SUPPORT FOR INTEGRATION Or how Europhiles have helped the opposition to the EU The New Swiss European Movement - a wounded animal The Problems of Social Democratic and Green support The declining enthusiasm of academia, business and other social forces The restraints on Governmental and EU action

  12. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF SWISS EUROSCEPTICISM AND HOW IT MIGHT BE CLASSIFIED SOFT - The difficulties of separating this out HARD: Quintessentially Right Wing Less rooted in German speaking areas Essentially domestic in orientation Dual structure Mainstream and Oppositional To be regarded as rejectionist ? More work on typology needed ?

  13. CONSTRAINTS ON EUROPOHOBIA POPULAR PRAGMATISM SYSTEMIC STRUCTURAL LIMITATIONS EUROPEANIZATION

  14. EUROPEAN COMPARISONS More differences than similarities Consistent stance Right wing leadership of losers No problems with alliance or government role Rises through PR electoral system Party competition less important than ideology Part of a wider challenge, entrepreneurial and reflecting European political trends

  15. PROSPECTS FOR SWISS OPPOSITION TO EUROPE Continuing stand offs ? The importance of the October elections and the European integration context Tipping over into Europhobia ? The paradoxical effects of bilateralism The continuing constraints of the political system The impact of attacks on Europeanization

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