Baldur Thorhallson is Associate Professor of Political Science, and Chairman of the Institute of International Affairs and the Centre for Small State Studies, at the University of Iceland
Why has Iceland not sought membership of the European Union?
This unique volume uses the case study of Iceland - the only Nordic state to have never applied for EU membership - to explore the complex attitudes of small states to European intergration and provide a new theoretical approach for understanding such relationships.
The contributors explain why the Icelandic political elite has been relunctant to participate in European integration. In this context, they analyse the influence that Iceland's special relationship with the US and the fisheries sector have had on their dealings with the EU. Also considered are 'new' variables, such as national administrative characteristics and particular features of the domestic arena of the political elite, as well as the elite's perception of international relations and its political discourse concerning independence and sovereignty.
Iceland and European Integration will appeal to all those interested in European integration and the international relations of small states
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Unique look at why Iceland has not applied to join the EU. It is the only book length study on this issue currently available
European enlargement is something often discussed and joining the EU is generally presented as a positive step - this book considers why Iceland has decided not to join
Provides a new theoretical framework for understanding small states in IR and in relation to the EU in particular
1. Approaching the Question: Domestic Background and Conceptual Framework 2. The First Steps: Iceland's Policy on European Integration from the Foundation of the Republic to 1972 3. A Controversial Step: Membership of the EEA 4. Deeply Involved in the European Project: Membership of Schengen 5. Partial Engagement: A Practical Solution 6. Life is First and Foremost Saltfish 7. The Special Relationship between Iceland and the United States of America 8. Discussing Europe: Icelandic Nationalism and European Integration 9. The Euro-Sceptical Political Elite 10. Shackled by Smallness: A Weak Administration as a Determinant of Policy Choice11. Towards a New Theoretical Approach
This book explores the relationship between small states and Europe using the case study of Iceland, the only Nordic state not to have applied for EU membership. It explains Iceland's reluctance to participate in European integration.
Using the case study of Iceland to explore the complex attitudes of small states to European integration and provide a fresh theoretical approach for understanding such relationships, this book explains why the Icelandic political elite has been reluctant to participate in European integration.
Über den Autor
Baldur Thorhallson is Associate Professor of Political Science, and Chairman of the Institute of International Affairs and the Centre for Small State Studies, at the University of Iceland
Inhaltsverzeichnis
1. Approaching the Question: Domestic Background and Conceptual Framework 2. The First Steps: Iceland's Policy on European Integration from the Foundation of the Republic to 1972 3. A Controversial Step: Membership of the EEA 4. Deeply Involved in the European Project: Membership of Schengen 5. Partial Engagement: A Practical Solution 6. Life is First and Foremost Saltfish 7. The Special Relationship between Iceland and the United States of America 8. Discussing Europe: Icelandic Nationalism and European Integration 9. The Euro-Sceptical Political Elite 10. Shackled by Smallness: A Weak Administration as a Determinant of Policy Choice11. Towards a New Theoretical Approach
Klappentext
This book explores the relationship between small states and Europe using the case study of Iceland, the only Nordic state not to have applied for EU membership. It explains Iceland's reluctance to participate in European integration.
