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

Heinrich Best - Cambridge 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 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 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 proper to 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 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 History matters!

Heinrich Best - Cambridge dimensions of mass identity formation dimensionconceptmodetime horizonessence ideasamenesscognitivepastWho am I? identificationbelongingnessnormativepresent To whom do I belong? agency destiny and purpose conativefuture What is my commitment?

Heinrich Best - Cambridge 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 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 19 th and early 20 th 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 research question Is there a distinct pattern of mass political identity in Central and Eastern European post communist countries?

Heinrich Best - Cambridge sample configuration 80 Political Elites National MPs incl 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 General Population Proportional Quota according: Sex, Age, Region, Ethnicity Total: 18 Countries 1411 Political Elites 730 Economic Elites General Population

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

Heinrich Best - Cambridge sameness national: to have national parents – very important

Heinrich Best - Cambridge sameness national: to be born in [country] – very important

Heinrich Best - Cambridge sameness national: to share cultural traditions – very important

Heinrich Best - Cambridge sameness national: to be a christian – very important

Heinrich Best - Cambridge sameness national: to master [language of country] – very important

Heinrich Best - Cambridge sameness national: to respect [national] laws / institutions – very important

Heinrich Best - Cambridge sameness national: to be a country citizen – very important

Heinrich Best - Cambridge belongingness attachment to [country] – very attached

Heinrich Best - Cambridge belongingness attachment to Europe – very attached

Heinrich Best - Cambridge destiny and purpose member states to remain central actors of EU – agree strongly

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

Heinrich Best - Cambridge destiny and purpose immigratin from non EU countries – big threat

Heinrich Best - Cambridge destiny and purpose interference of Russia in European affairs – big threat

Heinrich Best - Cambridge destiny and purpose inclusion of Turkey – big threat

Heinrich Best - Cambridge destiny and purpose inclusion of countries other than Turkey – big threat

Heinrich Best - Cambridge destiny and purpose make European economy more competitive

Heinrich Best - Cambridge destiny and purpose effects of globalization on welfare – big threat

Heinrich Best - Cambridge destiny and purpose common system of social security – strongly in favour

Heinrich Best - Cambridge destiny and purpose a unified tax system – strongly in favour

Heinrich Best - Cambridge destiny and purpose representative of the citizens of your country (Political Elites)

Heinrich Best - Cambridge 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 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 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