TY - JOUR
T1 - Portugal and Eastern Europe
T2 - after the revolution, democratic Europe
AU - De Matos, Luís Salgado
PY - 2003
Y1 - 2003
N2 - This essay argues that there exists a crucial triangle for speedy European integration and the institutionalization of representative democracy: a strong state-nation, strong elites and a reasonable level of economic development. In his view, Portugal was able to accomplish a democratic revolution and accession to the EU because it was a strong state-nation, had competitive elites, and was a cohesive society. Eastern European candidates weaker on these variables. The essay suggests that eastern European candidates should rebuild their elites and increase social cohesiveness before becoming full EU state-members. If they come in too quickly, they will be unable to cope with the challenges they will have to deal with later on.
AB - This essay argues that there exists a crucial triangle for speedy European integration and the institutionalization of representative democracy: a strong state-nation, strong elites and a reasonable level of economic development. In his view, Portugal was able to accomplish a democratic revolution and accession to the EU because it was a strong state-nation, had competitive elites, and was a cohesive society. Eastern European candidates weaker on these variables. The essay suggests that eastern European candidates should rebuild their elites and increase social cohesiveness before becoming full EU state-members. If they come in too quickly, they will be unable to cope with the challenges they will have to deal with later on.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0348233818&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/13608740808539644
DO - 10.1080/13608740808539644
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:0348233818
SN - 1360-8746
VL - 8
SP - 69
EP - 96
JO - South European Society and Politics
JF - South European Society and Politics
IS - 1-2
ER -
