Premium
Scandinavian Exceptionalism and European Union
Author(s) -
Lawler Peter
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
jcms: journal of common market studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.54
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1468-5965
pISSN - 0021-9886
DOI - 10.1111/1468-5965.00089
Subject(s) - exceptionalism , normative , political science , european union , positive economics , state (computer science) , american exceptionalism , foreign policy , political economy , sociology , law , international trade , economics , politics , algorithm , computer science
In contrast to more usual interest‐based accounts, this analysis of the Scandinavian national debates about EU membership focuses on the conflict between different normative standpoints on the implications of membership for the future of the Scandinavian exceptional state. The debates shared a number of crucial features, notably the prominence of exceptionalist (i.e. progessivist and internationalist) critiques of the European project, but distinctive national settings also produced significant variations. It is argued that normative analysis of the debates identifies some key issues concerning the future of Scandinavian exceptionalism and, more generally, questions overly exogenous accounts of foreign policy change in small states.