The distinctive domestic characteristics of Iceland and the rejection of membership of the European Union
Titel:
The distinctive domestic characteristics of Iceland and the rejection of membership of the European Union
Auteur:
Thorhallsson, Baldur
Verschenen in:
Journal of european integration
Paginering:
Jaargang 23 (2001) nr. 3 pagina's 257-280
Jaar:
2001
Inhoud:
This article examines the reasons for Iceland's refusal to follow other Nordic states in their movement towards European integration. It applies the approach of Peter J. Katzenstein, in his work on characteristics of smaller states, and compares the domestic features of Iceland with those of the remaining Nordic states. It argues that, by comparison with these Nordic states, the three defining characteristics of smaller states - economic openness, corporatist structure, and political party systems - are different in Iceland. Furthermore, in order to understand this cautious policy towards European integration, consideration has to be made of Iceland's special security experience. Also, the special characteristics of the Icelandic administration have to be examined. Iceland's membership of the European Economic Area (EEA) reduces European and international constraints on Iceland. On the other hand, the Icelandic political elite does not regard membership of the European Union (EU) as a means of further easing these constraints. On the contrary, it considers that membership will have unbearable constraints on Iceland's fishing interests and fanning community.
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