Durham E-Theses Socialism nationalism and European integration: the development of theory and practice Zevgolis, Dimitrios G. How to cite: Zevgolis, Dimitrios G. (1999) Socialism nationalism and European integration: the development of theory and practice, Durham theses, Durham University. Available at Durham E-Theses Online: http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/4365/ Use policy The full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-prot purposes provided that: • a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in Durham E-Theses • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. Please consult the full Durham E-Theses policy for further details. Academic Support Oce, Durham University, University Oce, Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3HP e-mail: [email protected] Tel: +44 0191 334 6107 http://etheses.dur.ac.uk 2 Socialism, Nationalism and European Integration: The Development of Theory and Practice by Dimitrios G. Zevgolis The copyright of this thesis rests with the author. No quotation from it should be published without the written consent of the author an information derived from it should be acknowledged. Thesis submitted for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy University of Durham Department of Politics Febru 1999 2 3 AUG 1999 ABSTRACT Dimitrios Zevgolis Socialism. Nationalism and European Integration: The Development of Theory and Practice Thesis submitted for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. University of Durham 1999 The late twentieth century has seen a triple crisis on the left: a crisis of socialism in all its mainstream expressions, a crisis of the state, but also a reaffirmation of the appeals of nationalism. The thesis is an attempt to examine the relationship between these developments in the context of the process of European integration. It starts with the difficult relation between socialism and nationalism, from the founding fathers of scientific socialism, through to their followers in the so-called golden age of socialism, and the practice of the Internationals. It looks briefly at the way the German SPD and the French Socialists reacted to the process of European integration, showing the predominance of national interests, which combined with the internal party problems and socialist beliefs, resulted in a confusion manifested in their rhetoric and vocabulary. An account is offered of some socialist thinkers who paid attention to European integration in the 1970s. The French Rocardians, Ernest Mandel and Johan Galtung are shown to have failed to understand the importance of nationalism and remained preoccupied with statism. The exception is Altiero Spinelli, who, as both thinker and practitioner, developed a unique non-doctrinaire vision of socialism, coupled with an understanding of national differences. His federalism and his pro- European stance incorporated notions and ideas that were to dominate the socialist discourse of today. Finally there is an examination of issues that currently dominate the discussion about the future of socialism. These can be divided into arguments about the state, the working class and the new radicalism, and democracy and the ideas of choice, rights, autonomy and the market. Spinelli had touched upon all these issues with a particular reference to European integration and opened up for socialists the European horizon. In conclusion, it is argued that while European integration is not a socialist enterprise, it might be used to further its aims. t No material contained in this thesis has previously been submitted for a degree in this or any other university "The copyright of this thesis rests with the author. No quotation from it should be published without the prior written consent and information derived from it should be acknowledged" For my wife Catherine and my daughter Ersy. They have felt my long absence more than anybody else. TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS p. 1 INTRODUCTION p. 2 CHAPTER 1: Nationalism and Socialism: Dangerous Liaisons Introduction p. 9 Nationalism p. 10 Marxism and Nationalism p. 19 Post-Marxian Thinkers and Nationalism p. 32 Nationalism and Socialist Practice p. 39 Conclusion p. 61 CHAPTER 2: European Integration and Western Social-Democracy Introduction p. 63 The German Socialdemocrats - SPD p. 64 European Integration and French Socialism p. 94 Conclusion p. 125 CHAPTER 3: Socialist Thinkers and European Integration Introduction p. 130 The French Rocardians p. 132 Johan Galtung and Structural Imperialism p. 143 Ernest Mandel: The Internationalist p. 156 Conclusion p. 167 CHAPTER 4: Altiero Spinelli: The Continuing Prophet Introduction p. 169 1941 -1970: The Early Years p. 171 1970-1976: The Commissioner p. 179 1976-1986: The European Parliament p. 189 Conclusion p. 193 CHAPTER 5: Socialism in a Transformed World Introduction p. 197 1. The Unit of Socialist Change: The State and Globalization p.200 2. The Agent of Transformation: Searching for a New Social Base p.225 A. The Decline of Class and the New Movements p.226 B. New Forms of Political Radicalism p.236 3. Socialist Theory and Practice: Establishing a New Synthesis of Values p.253 A. Democracy: Choice, Rights, Autonomy p.255 B. Market Socialism p.269 CONCLUSION p.290 BIBLIOGRAPHY Books p.298 Pamphlets p.311 Journal Articles p.313 Newspaper Articles p.323 Official Publications p.324 1 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The completion of this thesis would have been impossible without the wise guidance and helpful comments of my supervisor, Mr. Andrew L. MacMullen. I take the opportunity to express my gratitude once more for his patience throughout the years. Prof. Michael Newman and Dr. Peter Stirk made very helpful remarks and suggestions that have been incorporated into the text.. Prof. Robert J. Williams has been a great advisor, friend, College Principal and Head of Department. Without his encouragement I would not have reached this point. His help is greatly appreciated and I remain in great debt to him for all he has done for me. The Department of Politics has been the most wonderful place for someone to study and work. All members of staff have been very supportive and understanding during my stay here. Mr. Henry Tudor, who is greatly missed, and Prof. Richard Chapman have been very helpful as heads of Department. They gave me the great opportunity to do some teaching which has proven to be a valuable experience. Dr. Peter Kneen offered advise on several occasions. The departmental secretaries, Mrs. Jean Richardson, Mrs. Wendy Redhead and Mrs. Dorothy Anson provided assistance, guidance and a friendly smile to the very last minute. Without Jean's help, there would not be a hard copy of this thesis. St. Aidan's College was a great place to live and I retain fond memories of my years as tutor there. The resident members of the SCR made my life much easier and nicer. They provided emotional support and company in exploring the local pubs. Dr. Costas M. Constantinou has been a real friend for a very long time and has offered advice and support on numerous occasions. Dr. Nicholas Antoniou was sympathetic when needed most. Vangelis Giannoutsos helped me to come to terms with myself at a difficult period. Michalis Giakoumis and Alexandras Tsiatsiamis had to work extra hours so that I could take time off and finish the present thesis. I thank them. The present thesis has been completed with financial assistance form the Alexander S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation. I am obliged to my parents, my in laws, my second parents, and my extended family in general. My wife in particular, deserve much of the credit due for understanding, financial support and patience. Catherine has put up with my absence, and ups and downs for a very long period of time indeed. On top of everything else, she had to be a father to our daughter Ersy. I will try to compensate for it from now on. Finally, all shortcomings and failures are mine and mine alone. 2 INTRODUCTION The global political landscape has undergone massive changes since 1945, in particular with the phenomena of decolonisation and globalisation. The rate of change in many respects has intensified in the last ten years. On the European scene, the process of European integration gathered a new momentum in the eighties and the idea of a united western Europe seemed closer than ever. In addition, the year 1989 signified, after seventy years, the end of what was known as existing socialism in the eastern half of the continent. As Nairn has remarked, there were three major strands in this upheaval against communism. There was a democratic rebellion against one-party autocracy, there was an economic revulsion against the command economy, and last but not least, there was the re-emergence of national identity.1 The present thesis is an attempt to discuss the relation between nationalism and socialism, in the light of these developments, i.e. the end of communism, the process of integration in Western Europe and the process of disintegration in the East. The closing decade of the twentieth century has witnessed rapid transformations of the way we understand the operation of these two ideological traditions. Much 6f our traditional understanding of socialism revolved around two interrelated types of regime ~ the communist command economies of the USSR and Eastern Europe and the mixed economy welfare states of Western Europe. We have seen the end of the communist era in what used to be described as Eastern Europe, but also the rise of assertive forms of nationalism in that region At the same time, the existing practice of social democracy in Western Europe has come under a series of pressures.