European Political Cultures

Center:

European Union

Program(s):

European Union [1]

Discipline(s):

Cultural Studies

Political Science

Course code:

CU/PO 243

Terms offered:

Fall

Spring

Credits:

Language of instruction:

English

Instructor:

Birgit Hofmann

Description:

Citizens’ support for democratic values is crucial for European unity and stability. Consequently, any understanding of “Europe” requires awareness of the national and individual norms that influence how its citizens think about and react to politics. This course focuses on the historical development and the present condition of what scientists call Political Culture, i.e., “the aggregate of knowledge, beliefs, values, and accepted behavior in relation to politics” (Gordon Smith) in major countries of Western, Southern, Northern, and Eastern Europe. Students will investigate defining moments in the history of European Political Cultures and learn to identify and compare key concepts of European democracies like “nation”, “state,” and “citizenship.” The course will provide important insights in the impact of Political Culture(s) on the continuing effort to build a “new” and unified Europe.

Prerequisites:

None

Attendance policy:

All IES courses require attendance and participation. Attendance is mandatory per IES policy. Any unexcused absence will incur a penalty of 3% on your final grade. Any student who has more than three (3) unexcused absences will receive an “F” as the final grade in the course. Absences due to sickness, religious observances, and family emergencies may be excusable at the discretion of the Center Director.

In the case of an excused absence, it is the student’s responsibility to inform the Academic Dean of the absence with an Official Excused Absence Form, as well as any other relevant documentation (e.g. a doctor’s note), and to keep a record thereof. This form must be turned in as soon as possible before the class, in the case of a planned absence, or immediately after the class, in the case of an unplanned absence, in order for the absence to be considered excused. It is also the student’s responsibility to inform the professor of the missed class. Students can collect and submit the Official Excused Absence Form from the office of the Academic Dean.

TESTS MISSED DURING UNEXCUSED ABSENCES CANNOT BE MADE UP!

The use of laptop computers during class is not permitted. Cell phones are to be switched off. Updated information on your course and readings can be found on Moodle.

Learning outcomes:

By the end of the course, students are able to:

identify the elements of political culture theory.
transfer the theoretical knowledge to the reality of member state polities and policies.
compare the political cultures of different member states.
explain the historical backgrounds of different European political cultures.
demonstrate their knowledge in presentations and during field trips.
reflect their own political culture background by contrasting it with their new insights in European political culture(s).
understand difficulties, but also the value of building a new Europe on the basis of different cultural and political backgrounds and habits.

Method of presentation:

Lectures, group work, seminar discussions, field study

Required work and form of assessment:

Classroom participation (20%)
Two field trip assignments (10%)
Two essays (40%)
Midterm exam (15%)
Final exam (15%)

Seminar discussions are based upon the compulsory readings, the written assignments accompanying the readings and the teaching introductions to the subject given in each session. Moreover, students will have to participate in various forms of group work during the sessions. Students are required to complete all reading assignments and will be expected to demonstrate this through regularly assigned homework, pop quizzes and/or insightful and relevant contributions to in-class discussion. All of these components will count toward the final grade.

Participation: four quizzes (Moodle)

Field Trip assignments

1st assignment: “Belgium – is there a common political culture at all?” Fill in questions on moodle (due date: Thursday, October 23)
2nd assignment: “Embodiment of the nation” – Upload one field trip photo and description on moodle. Choose one monument, museum, statue during one of your field trips and explain its meaning for the country's national identity and political culture (due date: Tuesday, December 11)

Essays (5-6 pages) will be evaluated not only on the basis of content but also on correct structure and formatting. An outline of these requirements will be available to students as a guide. Shortcomings in any of these aspects will be reflected in the grade. To receive an ‘A’ on an essay, students cannot neglect any of the given standards.

1st essay: “Common roots, different political cultures?” – Turning points in the history of European political cultures. You can use either the example of 1789, 1918, 1945, or 1989 (due date: Tuesday, October 9)
2nd essay: “Comparing apples with oranges?” – political cultures in comparison. Choose two countries, one of which has to be a field trip country, and compare three aspects of their political cultures; recommendation: Spain/Portugal; Great Britain/Sweden; Czechia/Poland; Germany/France (due date: Thursday, December 6)

The midterm and final exams consist of essay questions referring to the readings, the written assignments, classroom work, and field trip insights.

content:

THEORY AND BACKGROUND: COMMON ROOTS OF EUROPEAN POLITICAL CULTURES

1. Introduction: Studying European Political Cultures

Introductory remarks, definitions and categories; the development of the political culture approach; studying political culture(s) by travelling; the importance of political culture in a new Europe
Reading: Athanassopoulou, “Same Words, Different Language: Political Cultures and European Integration”, pp. 3-14.
(Tuesday, September 25, 10.45 am – 12.15 pm)

2. Elements of the Political Culture Approach: “State” and “Nation” in European History

1789 as starting point for the European nation state; analyzing political cultures in historical context; state and nation in Europe from 1789 to 1989
Reading: Breuilly, “The State and Nationalism,” pp. 32-52.
(Thursday, September 27, 10:45 am – 12.15 pm)

3. From Dictatorship to Democracy: Postwar Political Cultures in Western Europe

The breakdown of the European democracies during the inter-war-period and the fascist and communist dictatorships; 1945 as starting point for Western European democracies
Reading: Laqueur, “Europe Divided,” pp. 3-29.
(Tuesday, October 2, 10:45 am – 12.15 pm)

QUIZ 1 (moodle)

Evening (6.30 pm): Meet your teacher, Movie “Animal Farm”

4. From People`s Democracies to Regimes Change: Central and Eastern Europe

The political culture of communism and the establishment of communist Regimes in Central and Eastern Europe; questioning the legitimacy of communism – the uprisings of 1953, 1968, the 1980s; the final downfall of communist Regimes in 1989
Reading: “Laqueur, The East European Revolution,” pp. 551-570.
(Thursday, October 4, 10.45 am – 12.15 pm)

COUNTRY STUDIES 1: CONTINENTAL WESTERN EUROPE

5. France: Political Culture and the State
Liberty, equality, fraternity and the impact of a strong state on French political culture; myth and reality of “stateism”
Reading: Mc Millan, “France,” pp. 69-88.
(Tuesday, October 9, 10.45 am – 12.15 pm)

Essay 1 due: Common Roots of European political cultures

6. Field Trip Preparation: Comparing State and Nation Constructions: The Example of Belgium and the Netherlands

Consociational democracy, citizenship in a multi-ethnic state, multiculturalism, pillarisation
Reading: Wolinetz, “Belgium and the Netherlands,” pp. 82-100.
(Thursday, October 11, 10.45 am – 12.15 pm)

Quiz 2 (moodle)

7. Field Trip Meeting: Belgium – Is there a Common Political Culture at all?

Meeting with the General Representative of the Flemish Government to the EU in Brussels, Mr. Axel Buyse; preparation for the field trip essay.
Reading: Billiet/Maddens/Frognier, “Does Belgium (still) Exist?” pp. 912-932.
(Field Trip Meeting, October 17)

Country Studies 2: Southern Europe

8. Italy: A “normal” Political Culture or a “Post-Democracy”?

The transformation of the post-1989 party system; bribes and political scandals during the “Berlusconi era”; governmental instability, reform inability – Italy as an example for “post-democracy”?
Reading: Griffin, “Italy,” pp. 139-157.
(Thursday, October 23, 10.45 am – 12.15 pm)

Field Trip Assignment due: “Belgium – Is there a Common Political Culture at all?” (Moodle)

9. Portugal and Spain: Democratization and Political Culture

The Spanish Civil War and the “two Spains”; the end of franquism and the Salazar dictatorship: transition to democracy from the 1970s to today.
Reading: Costa Pinta/Nuñez, “Portugal and Spain,” pp. 172-193.
(Tuesday, October 25, 10.45 am – 12.15 pm)

QUIZ 3 (moodle)

10. Greece: National Identity and Political Culture

The political culture in a globalized world: do the current problems root in Greece’s culturally conservative national identity?
Reading: Demertzis, “Greece,” pp. 107-122.
(Thursday, October 30, 10.45 am – 12.15 pm)

Country Studies 4: Northern Europe and UK

11. United Kingdom: Economy and Political Culture – The Heritage of Thatcherism, and: Is there an anglo-American political culture? / Presidential Election in the U.S.

The making of the modern British state; the collapse of the collectivist consensus; Thatcher and Blair – how did British political culture change? Britain and the US: A common political culture?
Reading: Jenkins, “Thatcher`s Legacy,” pp. 161-171.
(Tuesday, November 6, 10.45 am – 12.15 pm)

12. Scandinavia: Political Culture and the “Nordic Model” of Welfare State

The “nordic model” of the social democratic welfare state; interest representation and corporatism; reformism and social democracy
Reading: Lin, “Cultural Traditions and the Scandinavian Social Policy Model,” pp. 123-139.
(Thursday, November 8, 10.45 am – 12.15 pm)

13. Midterm exam (on sessions 1-12)

(Tuesday, November 13, 10.45 am – 12.15 pm)

COUNTRY STUDIES 5: CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE AND GERMANY

14. The Baltic States (Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia): Minorities and Political Culture

Transition to democracy in former soviet states; from “russification” during soviet times to the problems with a Russian minority today: nationalism as main feature of political culture?
Reading: Galbreath, “Still Treading Air?” pp. 87-96.

(Thursday, November 15, 10.45 am – 12.15 pm)

15. Germany: Once divided between East and West – One Country, Two Political Cultures?

Germany`s dictatorial past and its impact on today`s political culture; “Berlin Republic” and German reunification: different political cultures in West Germany and in the former GDR?
Reading: Dalton/Weldon, “Germans Divided? Political Culture in a United Germany,” pp. 9-23.
(Tuesday, November 20, 10.45 am – 12.15 pm)

16. Local Germany: Freiburg City “Culture” – A Critical View (Local Field Trip)

City Walk with Mr. Coinneach McCabe (Municipal Councilor), former member of Alliance '90/Green Party, one of the founders of the Green Alternative Freiburg (GAF)
Readings: classroom handouts/moodle
(Wednesday, November 21, 10.45 am-12.15 pm)

17. Romania and Bulgaria: Populism and Political Culture

Continuities in Romanian political culture before and after 1989; Bulgaria: transformation to democracy, economic development, corruption
Reading: Gallagher, “Nationalism and Romanian Political Culture,” pp. 104-124; and Ghodsee, “Left Wing, Right Wing, Everything. Xenophobia, Neo-totalitarianism, and Populist Politics in Bulgaria,” pp. 28-39.
(Tuesday, December 4, 10.45 am – 12.15 pm)

Field Trip assignment 2 due: “Embodiment of the nation”

18. Poland: Political Culture and Religion
The “Solidarnosc” dissident movement and its role within the communist system; post-communist politics in Poland: the role of religious belief, conservatism and nationalism for Polish political culture today
Reading: Castle, “Poland,” pp. 517-531.
(Thursday, December 6, 10.45 am – 12.15 pm)

Essay 2 due, “Comparing Apples with Oranges”

19. The Czech Republic and Slovakia: Civil Societies and Political Culture

The breakup of Czechoslovakia in 1993; post-communist politics in the Czech Republic and Slovakia; Czech civil society and the raise of the Green Party
Reading: Hablerová, “Czechs and Slovaks,” pp. 21-22, and Janik, “Twenty Years after the Iron Curtain: The Czech Republic in Transition,” pp. 99-107.
(Tuesday, December 11, 10.45 am – 12.15 pm)

Quiz 4 (Moodle)

Movie: The Czech Dream

20. Hungary: Towards an Authoritarian Political Culture?, and: Final Discussion: Is there a Common European Political Culture?

Paths of Hungarian transition to democracy; right-wing anti-communism, Victor Orban`s new Hungary: turning authoritative?; is there a common European political culture at all?
Reading: Egedy, “Political Conservatism in Post-Communist Hungary,” pp. 42-53.
(Thursday, December 13, 10.45 am – 12.15 pm)

21. Final Exam (on sessions 14-20)

(Tuesday, December 18, 10 am – 11.30 am)

Required readings:

Athanassopoulou, Ekavi. “Same Words, Different Language: Political Cultures and European Integration.” United in Diversity? European Integration and Political Culture, ed. Ekavi Athanassopoulou. London: I.B. Tauris, 2008, pp. 3-17.
Billiet, Jaak, Maddens, Bart, and Frognier, André-Paul. “Does Belgium (still) Exist? Differences in Political Culture between Flemings and Walloons.” West European Politics 29 (2006), pp. 912–932.
Breuilly, John, “The State and Nationalism.” Understanding Nationalism, ed. Monsterrat Guibernau and John Hutchinson. Cambridge, UK: Polity, 2005, pp. 32-52.
Castle, Marjorie. “Poland.” Politics in Europe, ed. M. Donald Hancock. Washington, D.C.: CQ Press, 20074, pp. 517-531, and pp. 537-565.
Conway, Martin, and Peter Romijn. “Legitimacy and the Making of the Post-War Order.” The War on Legitimacy in Politics and Culture 1936-1946, eds. Martin Conway and Peter Romijn. Oxford: Berg, 2008, pp. 177-209.
Costa Pinto, António, and Xosé M. Nuñez, “Portugal and Spain.” European Political Cultures. Conflict or Convergence?, ed. Roger Eatwell. New York: Routledge, 1997, pp. 172-193.
Dalton, Russell J., and Weldon, Steve. Germans Divided? Political Culture in a United Germany.” German Politics, 19 (2010), pp. 9-23.
Egedy, Gergely. “Political Conservatism in Post-Communist Hungary.” Problems of Post-Communism, 56 (2009), pp. 42-53.
Galbreath, David J. “Still ‘Treading Air’? Looking at the Post-Enlargement Challenges to Democracy in the Baltic States.” Democratizatsiya 16 (Winter 2008), pp. 87-96.
Gallagher, Tom. “Nationalism and Romanian Political Culture in the 1990s.” Post-Communist Romania. Coming to Terms with Transition, eds. Duncan Light and David Phinnemore. New York: Palgrave, 2001, pp. 104-124.
Ghodsee, Kristen. “Left Wing, Right Wing, Everything. Xenophobia, Neo-totalitarianism, and Populist Politics in Bulgaria.” Problems of Post-Communism 55.3 (May/June 2008), pp. 28-39.
Hablerová, Vera. “Czechs and Slovaks: 1994 – 2004.” The New Presence (Autumn 2005), pp. 21-22.
Janik, Zdenek. “Twenty Years after the Iron Curtain: The Czech Republic in Transition.” Juniata Voices, (March 2010), pp. 99-107.
Laqueur, Walter. Europe in Our Time. New York: Viking/Penguin, 1992.
Lin, Ka. “Cultural Traditions and the Scandinavian Social Policy Model.” Social Policy & Administration, 39 (2005), pp. 123-139.
Stokes, Gale: “Thinking About 1989: The End of Politics by Other Means.” Problems of Post-Communism, 56 (September/October 2009), pp. 11–18.
Voulgaris, Yannis. “Globalization and national identity: Monitoring Greek culture today.” Portuguese Journal of Social Science, 5 (2006), pp. 141-153.
Wolchik, Sharon. “The Greatest Surprises.” Problems of Post-Communism, 56 (September/October 2009), pp. 25–29.
Wolinetz, Steven B. “Belgium and the Netherlands.” European Politics, eds. Colin Hay and Anand Menon. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007, pp. 82-100.

Recommended readings:

Agh, Attila. The Politics of Central Europe, London: Sage, 1998, pp. 171-225.
Allen, Christopher S. “Germany.” European Politics in Transition, eds. Mark Kesselman and Joel Krieger. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 20065, pp. 303-330, 366-388.
Almond, Gabriel, and Verba, Sidney (eds.). The Civic Culture Revisited, Boston: Little, Brown and Comp., 1980.
Almond, Gabriel A., Dalton, Russell et al. European Politics Today. New York/London/Mexico: Pearson Longman, 2006.
Almond, Gabriel A., Bingham Powell Jr., G., Dalton, Russell J., and Strøm, Kaare (eds.). Comparative Politics Today. A World View, New York and San Francisco et al.: Pearson Longman, 2008.
Azmanova, Albena. “Europe`s novel political cultures in the early twenty-first century.” Contemporary Politics, 10 (2004), pp. 111-125.
Benedicto, Jorge. “Cultural structures and political life: The cultural matrix of democracy in Spain.” European Journal of Political Research, 43 (2004), pp. 287-307.
Bull, Martin, and James L. Newell. “Still the Anomalous Democracy? Politics and Institutions in Italy.” Government and Opposition, 44 (2009), pp. 42-67.
Blokker, Paul. Multiple Democracies in Europe: Political Culture in New Member States, Routledge: New York, 2009.
Bozoki, Andras and Simon, Eszter. “Formal Institutions and Informal Politics in Hungary.” Formal Institutions and Informal Politics in Central and Eastern Europe. Opladen: Barbara Budrich Publishers, 2008², pp. 143-156, 164-190.
Eatwell, Roger. European political cultures. Conflict or convergence? London and New York: Routledge, 1997.
Eatwell, Roger. “Introduction: The Importance of the Political Culture Approach.” European Political Cultures. Conflict or Convergence, ed. Roger Eatwell. New York: Routledge, 1997, pp. 1-13.
Einhorn, Eric S. and Logue, John. “Scandinavia.” European Politics, eds. Colin Hay and Anand Menon. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007, pp. 64-81.
Hay, Colin and Menon, Anand: European Politics. Oxford: OUP, 2007.
Hellmann, Stephen. “Italy.” European Politics in Transition, eds. Mark Kesselman and Joel Krieger. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 20065, pp. 403-425, 463-484.
Mihalikova, Silvia. “Slovakia: Pathways to a Democratic Community.” Democracy and Political Culture in Eastern Europe, eds. Hans-Dieter Klingemann, Dieter Fuchs and Jan Zielonka. London: Routledge, 2006, pp. 172-202.
Mungiu-Pippidi, Alina, and Andrei Pippidi. “The Balkan Political Culture in Historical Perspective.” United in Diversity? European Integration and Political Cultures, ed. Ekavi Athanassopoulou, London: I.B. Tauris, 2008, pp. 165-187.
Hopkin, Jonathan and van Biezen, Ingrid. “Spain and Portugal.” European Politics, eds. Colin Hay and Anand Menon. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007, pp. 101-116.
Hroch, Miroslav. “The Political Cultures of Europe in Historical Context.” United in Diversity? European Integration and Political Cultures, London: I.B. Tauris, 2008, pp. 39-51.
Jenkins, Simon. “Thatcher`s Legacy.” Political Studies Review, 5 (2007), pp. 161-171.
Judt, Tony. Postwar. A History of Europe since 1945. New York: The Penguin Press, 2005.
Kersting, Norbert, and Cronqvist, Lasse (eds.). Democratization and Political Culture in comparative perspective, Opladen: Leske & Budrich, 2004.
Kesselman, Mark, Krieger, Joel et al. European Politics in Transition, Boston, New York: Houghton Mifflin, 2006.
Kesselman, Mark. “France.” European Politics in Transition, eds. Mark Kesselman and Joel Krieger. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 20065, pp. 215-233, 268-287.
Klicperová-Baker. “The Political Psychology of the Czech Nation.” The New Presence, (2009), pp. 1-3.
Knapp, Andrew, and Vincent Wright. “State Traditions.” The Government and Politics of France, ed. Andrew Knapp, and Vincent Wright, London/New York: Routledge, 20065, pp. 14-24.
Krieger, Joel. “Britain.” European Politics in Transition, eds. Mark Kesselman and Joel Krieger. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 20065, pp. 135-150, 186-202.
Lefebvre, Edwige Liliane. “Republicanism and Universalism: Factors of Inclusion or Exclusion in the French Concept of Citizenship.” Citizenship Studies, 7 (2003), pp. 15-36.
Magone, José M. (ed.): Contemporary European Politics. A comparative introduction, New York: Routledge, 2011.
Mazower, Mark: Dark Continent. Europe`s Twentieth Century, London 1998, pp. 1-40.
Montgomery, Kathleen. “Politics in Hungary.” European Politics Today, eds. Gabriel Almond et al. New York: Pearson Longman, 2006, pp. 402-456.
Tocci, Nathalie. “Greece, Turkey and Cyprus.” European Politics, eds. Colin Hay and Anand Menon. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007, pp. 117-131.
Swenden, Wilfried, Brans, Marleen, and De Winter, Leiven: “The Politics of Belgium: Institutions and Policy under Bipolar and Centrifugal Federalism.” West European Politics, 29 (November 2006), pp. 863-873.

Other Resources:

Newspapers: The Economist, European Voice (weekly)

News Agency: Agence Europe (www.agenceurope.com [2])

Websites:

European Countries, short presentation of member states by official EU-Website: http://europa.eu/abc/european_countries/eu_members/index_en.htm [3]
Maps of the Member States and their regions: http://europa.eu/abc/maps/index_en.htm [4]
Animated Map of the Accession of European Member States from the 1950s to today http://sterngasse.at/ploneworldkit/examples/european_union/ [5]
The International Herald Tribune: www.iht.com [6]
The Economist: http://www.economist.com [7]
Spiegel Online International: www.spiegel.de/international/europe [8]
Financial Times: http://www.ft.com/home/europe [9]
The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/pages/world/europe/index.html [10]
Eurostat: http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/eurostat/home/ [11]

Brief Biography of Instructor:

Birgit Hofmann is a political scientist who graduated at Albert-Ludwigs-University, Freiburg. Her research focuses on European history and politics in the 20th and 21st centuries, dictatorships and democracy, the transition of East European countries, and European political cultures. She was a research assistant at the political science department at Albert-Ludwigs-University, a fellow of the Czech-German Fund for the Future in Prague, Czech Republic, and of the postgraduate school “Overcoming of Dictatorships and Establishment of Civil Societies in Europe” at Ruprecht-Karls-University, Heidelberg. Her teaching experience covers various courses at IES EU Center in Freiburg as well as at the universities of Heidelberg and Freiburg.