Suchergebnisse

The surge in support for Eurosceptic parties in the 2014 Euroelections is investigated through a case study of Greece, a country which suffered a dramatic dealignment of its party system after the onset of the Eurozone crisis. The extent to which crisis-era developments represent a rupture is assessed by setting the recent rise of party Euroscepticism in its historical context. Eurobarometer data is used to investigate the relationship between party and popular Euroscepticism and an alternative domestically-driven explanation of causality. The conclusion is that the crisis era has been a game-changer in attitudes towards European integration. The rising vote for Eurosceptic parties is not simply a side-effect of domestic protest. Instead the EU has become a significant electoral target.

Examines the crisis surrounding national identity in Greece. After noting the centrality of racial purity & religious homogeneity in Greek identity, an overview of immigration to Greece is provided; the country, like other EU members, is grappling with the relationship of state & society to long-term foreign residents. Challenges to Greek identity are made manifest in a discussion of two incidents involving decisions by (1) an independent administrative agency that requiring the inclusion of religious affiliation on adult identity cards violates a law on the protection of personal data, & (2) secondary school teachers who selected a non-Greek citizen student to carry the flag in the national holiday parade on the basis of his high grades. Why these incidents generated so much controversy is considered. J. Zendejas