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How Romanian Governmental Elites Conceptualize the European Union As an International Society

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How Romanian Governmental Elites Conceptualize the European Union As an International Society How Romanian Governmental Elites Conceptualize The European Union As An International Society Adriana N. Seagle Dissertation submitted to the faculty of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy In Planning, Governance and Globalization Ioannis Stivachtis, Chair Timothy W. Luke Laura E. Sjoberg, Charles L. Taylor April 30, 2012 Blacksburg, VA Keywords: Romania, International Society, European Union, Culture, Values, Security Copyright 2012, Adriana N. Seagle How Romanian Governmental Elites Conceptualize The European Union As An International Society Adriana N. Seagle ABSTRACT This study makes a contribution to the distinction between Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft models of society at the regional level by investigating the understanding of the Romanian governmental elites with respect to the EU and the EU’s Second Pillar. The findings of the study suggest that the conscious recognition of common culture and common values help distinguish between system and society at the regional level because they imply adherence to a common political identity. It is widely agreed in the ES that an international system develops an international society and when states engage in mutual recognition of “sovereign equality” an international society exists. The case of Romania shows that the EU is a pluralistic international society divided in decision-making between the core and the periphery in which political criteria serves for mutual recognition. Political criteria defined by the application of the rule of law and anti-corruption measures as well as by the common understanding of Western democratic culture and Western political values seem to hinder Romania from acquiring a distinctive voice in EU decision-making. Political instability continues to be a perennial concern for Romania despite EU membership. This study highlights that political instability results from an inadequate understanding of EU common political values underpinning the principles of western style democracy. The findings also indicate that before 2007 Romanians described the connection with the EU in sentimental, common historical ties in contrast to after 2007, when Romania’s Accession Treaty and the Treaty of Lisbon were increasingly invoked in context of equal recognition status hence highlighting contractual ties with the EU. The study is framed by the international society and uses an interpretive methodology associated with international society to highlight that at the regional level culture and values give meaning to society and help the common understanding of members of international society to pursue common interests. Adherence to common EU political culture and values are imperative for political stability in Romania and for harmonizing Romanian elites’ mentalities in political and security practices with those of other EU members. A useful recommendation emerging from the findings is that international society should be examined further in context of power and prudence in order to understand how the existence of common interests, rules, norms, and values of the Union members influence the distinction between the international system and international society. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This dissertation is the product of a long journey whose completion would not be possible without the help and support from my professors at Virginia Tech and my family. My deepest appreciation goes to my committee members who inspired, provided encouragement, support and expert knowledge to this dissertation. To my chair, Professor Yannis Stivachtis, a heartfelt Thank You! for introducing me to the ES, reading the long chapters and asking me to think about where I stand with respect to international society. Your guidance and promptitude shaped my thinking on international relations. My heart felt gratitude goes to Professor Timothy Luke who knows more about the ES than he lets others know. I am grateful for his timely and through feedback that helped me clarify important questions and shape the final version of this dissertation. His critical questions, leadership style and unfailing support for students polished my theoretical skills and taught me how to become a better scholar for which I will always be thankful. I also wish to express my heart felt gratitude to Professor Laura Sjoberg without whom the completion of this project would not be possible. Her immediate and willingness to participate in committee meetings even in most challenging situations helped me move forward in my PhD program and modeled for me dedication to the academic profession and commitment to mentorship. Professor Sjoberg’s questions and insightful comments have challenged me to think about international relations from a different perspective and I thank her for this. I would like also to express my deepest gratitude to Professor Charles Taylor, an expert in European political systems who taught me how to spot critical aspects related to political parties and governing coalitions. His insightful questions and suggestions helped me better organize the dissertation and I am grateful for his support. For the remaining shortcomings of the dissertation, I am the only one responsible. I would also like to acknowledge that data for the dissertation were collected from government papers associated with the Romanian Government, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of National Defense. Official documents are archived online on their respective websites and available in both English and Romanian for anyone to use.1 Lastly, but most importantly, I would like to thank my family who has been extraordinarily supportive throughout my graduate school journey. To my husband: for his love, support and willingness to listen and discuss international society and the ES for the last two years and to my parents, brothers and sisters whom I hope I inspired and dedicate this dissertation. 1 Government of Romania (www.gov.ro); Ministry of Foreign Affairs (www.mae.ro); Ministry of National Defense (www.mapn.ro). iii Table of Contents ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................................ iii CHAPTER ONE ........................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY ..................................................................................... 1 1.2 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY ................................................................................................ 5 1.3 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK ........................................................................................ 9 1.4 LIMITATIONS ................................................................................................................... 23 1.5 ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY ................................................................................. 25 CHAPTER TWO ........................................................................................................................ 29 METHODOLOGY ..................................................................................................................... 29 1.1 INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FROM AN INTERPRETIVE/HERMENEUTIC PERSPECTIVE......................................................................................................................... 29 1.2 DATA COLLECTION ....................................................................................................... 35 1.3 METHOD OF ANALYSIS................................................................................................. 39 1.4 PARTICIPANTS IN THE STUDY .................................................................................... 39 CHAPTER THREE .................................................................................................................... 42 THE IDEA OF INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY ...................................................................... 42 THE SYSTEM/SOCIETY DISTINCTION .............................................................................. 49 THE PLURALIST VERSUS SOLIDARIST TYPES OF INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY ..... 55 CONCLUDING REMARKS .................................................................................................... 59 CHAPTER FOUR ....................................................................................................................... 61 THE EMERGENCE AND EXPANSION OF EUROPEAN INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY AT THE REGIONAL AND GLOBAL LEVELS .................................................................... 61 EUROPEAN INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY AT THE REGIONAL LEVEL ........................ 61 THE BULLIAN PERSPECTIVE ............................................................................................. 63 THE WIGHTIAN PERSPECTIVE .......................................................................................... 69 THE WATSONIAN PERSPECTIVE....................................................................................... 77 THE EXPANSION OF CHRISTIAN INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY ................................... 91 THE EXPANSION OF EUROPEAN INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY ................................... 97 CONCLUDING REMARKS .................................................................................................. 111 iv CHAPTER FIVE .....................................................................................................................
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