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Are Icelanders not good Europeans

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1 Are Icelanders not good Europeans
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

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 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 – /3 pro After the crash very pro 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 Discourse The 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 determination Iceland 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/image Identity 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
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 56-58 59-63 67-71 87-91 91-95 95-99 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 … 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?
European Values Not so good Europeans Participation in European integration

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