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Summer School 2015

Are Icelanders not good Europeans? The reluctance of the Icelandic political elite to take full part in the European project. Summer School 2015 Baldur Thorhallsson Professor of Political Science and Jean Monnet Chair in European Studies, University of Iceland. Structure. Historical overview

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Summer School 2015

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  1. Are Icelanders not good Europeans? The reluctance of the Icelandic political elite to take full part in the European project Summer School 2015 Baldur ThorhallssonProfessor of Political Science and Jean Monnet Chair in European Studies, University of Iceland

  2. Structure Historical overview I Self-determination - political discourse II Geographical location/ image - identity III Concrete economic advantages - fish IV Secure defence V Public administration Summary

  3. Step to step adaptation Participation in European integration • 1970 EFTA • 1972/76 Bilateral free trade agreement - EU • 1994 EEA • 1996/2001 Schengen • 2009 EU membership application

  4. Step to step adaptation No's • 1960 not EFTA • 1962 not EU membership application • 1967 not EU membership application • 1973 not EU membership • 1990s not EU membership application • 2013 EU application frozen • 2014 backtrack - EU application withdrawal • 2015 EU application withdrawal !

  5. What makes the case of Iceland unique? The political elite • ‘The SDP – Pro from 1994 • The centre right Independence Party • ‘Wait and see’ until 1996 • Against • The centre agrarian Progressive Party • Wait and see 2001-2008 • 2009 pro • From mid 2009 … against • The Left Socialists • Against – supported application – finish accession process

  6. What makes the case of Iceland unique? Voters • 1988 – 1997 1/3 • 1998 - 2008 pro • After the crash 2008-2009 very pro • 2009-2014 against • From March 2014 … • Against membership • Complete the accession process • Voters willing to consider the EU alternative

  7. Iceland’s reluctance … I Self-determination - political discourse II Geographical location/ image - identity III Concrete economic advantages - fish IV Secure defence V Public administration

  8. I Political DiscourseThe historical narrative • Independent and brave Vikings • The Icelandic Commonwealth • Foreign dominance – Hardship • Domestic or Foreign Rule ? • Independence reclaimed - Prosperity • Cod Wars • The Icelandic ‘outvation’ • ‘We can manage on our own’

  9. Location of power • Land – waters – resources • The political discourse • Independence • Sovereignty • A ‘realist’ concept of foreign policy • Grip of nationalism on discussion of foreign affairs

  10. Self determinationIceland is unique ! • Maintain political autonomy - The Alþingi • Politicians close to people • Citizens’ participation in decision-making • Power of identity • The strength of nationalist discourse • Homogeneity • Geographic isolation

  11. II Geographical location/imageIdentity formation • Geographical identity • Centre or periphery ? • Icelanders’ ideas of relations with others • Stand on their own – no need of assistance • Alliances • Protectors

  12. Geographical image ?

  13. Geographical image ?

  14. Geographical image ?

  15. Geographical image ?

  16. III Concrete economic advantages • One-sided ‘profit’ mentality? • ‘free trade with fish’ • Keep absolute control/make full use of national resources • EU valued in economic not in political terms

  17. Powerful economic sectors • Agriculture • Power of the rural regions • The powerful fisheries lobby • Political parties and the fishery • MPs connections with the fishery sector

  18. Percentages of MPs with connections to the fishery sector in seven parliamentary terms, by party

  19. The Independence Party % 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 59-63 67-71 87-91 91-95 95-99 56-58 99-03 Term Fisheries Agriculture Industry

  20. - Geographical location - History VI SECURITY Bilateral defence agreement Military base Close economic and trade ties - ‘Economic assistance’ to 1968 Controversial - Nationalism USA still guarantees the defence of Iceland

  21. V The small public administration • Smallness and Historical features • Lack of staff and expertise • Late adaptation to the EEA • Lack of emphasis on long-term policy making • Reliant on interest groups

  22. The number of people working in the Iceland foreign service

  23. Summary • Norwegian shelter until the 14th century • Danish shelter from the 15th century until 1940 • Occasional British shelter from the 15th century • American Shelter 1941-2006 … • The new European Shelter • EU membership?

  24. Iceland’s European policy • Cautious step-by-step approach • Full participation - unbearable constraints • Domestic features • Identity and geographical location • ‘We are a free nation’ • European integration poses a threat…

  25. Are Icelanders not good Europeans?  • Good Europeans • European Values • Not so good Europeans • Participation in European integration

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