Problems of trust within EU integration process - Essay Example

This paper explores the connection between the level of cohesion within the trans-European political and support for integration underpinned by the presence and/or lack of trust between the countries. Discussion The initial thoughts regarding European integration fostered an idealism of uniting people by launching a community of Europeans. Nevertheless, this objective can be perceived as more pragmatic than idealistic in fostering positive transactions. The identity cleavage (manifest along north-south dimension) within the political community linked to support for the integration (Sanchez-Cuenca 2000, p.147). This statement captures the idea of a political community as the level of cohesion among individual citizens in which individuals form part of a distinct community since they have established a social-psychological attachment with one another via greater communication, and understanding.

As such, the notion and practice of European unification details an example of political, community building and support for integration linked to the establishment of a European political community (Hoffman 2006, p.108). The basis of this community features the development of positive images among fellow Europeans, which widens in-group membership. Self-interest, Trust, and cooperation Public support for European integration can be regarded as either specific (utilitarian support) or diffuses.

In most cases, motivations for utilitarian support are essentially self-interest in nature while diffuse flows from a shared interest motivation. Individuals frequently avails utilitarian support in cases where the state avails acceptable outputs (that can be economic, or non-economic gains to the individual); hence, the state sustain the system via citizen support. The motivation for utilitarian support mainly stems from evaluations of the EU’s capability to avail benefits and reduce any negative impacts, inclusive of the changing role of the EU integration progresses (Munoz 2011, p.551). As such, individual’s socio-economic position within the economy coupled with expected effects of market integration plays a critical role in shaping trust levels, whereby an increase in welfare provision among member countries linked to growing support, but economic downturns presently felt in Europe is linked to dramatically lowered support levels for EU integration (Kuhnhardt 2011, p.134). According to political cohesion model grounded in social identity theory, the potential of an individual supporting integration rises with greater levels of trust in fellow Europeans (Farrell 2002, p.55). Similarly, trust in EU nationalities enhances the possibility of support, more so compared to trust in the southern nationalities owing to the latter economic development.

Attachment is critical as it facilitates easier rule since it incorporates legitimacy to those that govern by the governed (Munoz 2011, p.552). Indeed, hostility towards others cultures impacts on attitudes of EU integration given that strong national attachment minimizes the possibility that an individual will back regional integration (Herrmann 1999, p.148). Hostility towards other cultures can be highlighted as a significant factor that has impeded the admission of Turkey into EU membership.

The EU cites lack of progress within Turkey’s reform as the core reason that has led to lack of progress