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Local Views: Scepticism Towards Europe and Its Consequences

  • Roberto BelloniEmail author
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Part of the Rethinking Peace and Conflict Studies book series (RCS)

Abstract

This chapter considers Western Balkan citizens, whose critical, Eurosceptic views are frequently neglected in the analysis of EU enlargement processes. After a brief discussion of what is meant by Euroscepticism, it provides some evidence of its growth in the region and it offers an account of the main reasons for this trend. Finally, it examines the consequences of the rise of Euroscepticism. While there are no short-term, realistic alternatives to further integration into the EU, other options—most importantly developing closer ties with Russia—are increasingly debated locally. Overall, growing levels of Euroscepticism reflect frustration with the EU’s real and perceived failures to meet citizens’ expectations, rather than a radical rejection of the institutions and principles underpinning liberal peacebuilding and the process of European integration.

Keywords

Euroscepticism Geopolitics Russia 
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Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Department of Sociology and Social ResearchUniversity of TrentoTrentoItaly

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