The advent of Political Integration: The European Transnationals (Study case Romanians in Denmark)

Matache, Narcis George

4. term

Development and International Relations, Master

2018

2018-10-16

59

Denne afhandling undersøger, om og hvordan europæiske borgere, der flytter på tværs af EU-lande og bosætter sig i et andet medlemsland (europæiske transnationaler), kan påvirke den videre integration i EU. Med udgangspunkt i en begrebsafklaring af transnationalisme, akkulturation og europæisk medborgerskab samt en gennemgang af integrations­teorier—særligt neofunktionalismen og dens idé om et spillover fra økonomisk til politisk integration—kombinerer studiet teoretisk analyse med empiriske indsigter. En case om rumænere i Danmark, suppleret af forfatterens egne observationer og elementer af både kvalitative og kvantitative tilgange, peger på, at længerevarende mobilitet kan fremme flerlagede identiteter (oprindelsesland, bopælsland og europæisk) og en stærkere følelse af europæisk tilhørsforhold. Afhandlingen konkluderer, at europæiske transnationaler har potentiale til at påvirke EU’s integrationsproces i retning af øget politisk integration, men at manglende kendskab til rettigheder og sprogbarrierer hæmmer aktiv deltagelse. Den fremhæver også behovet for at styrke politiske rettigheder i bopælslandet for at udnytte dette potentiale. Resultaterne er indikative og afspejler afhandlingens afgrænsninger; de peger på, at de mest virkningsfulde transnationaler i et integrationsperspektiv er dem, der bevarer tilknytningen til hjemlandet og samtidig udvikler identitet med bopælslandet og Europa.

This thesis examines whether and how EU citizens who move and settle in another member state (European transnationals) can influence the European Union’s integration process. Building on conceptual clarifications of transnationalism, acculturation, and European citizenship, and a review of integration theories—especially neofunctionalism’s idea that economic integration spills over into political integration—the study combines theoretical analysis with empirical insights. A case focusing on Romanians in Denmark, supported by the author’s observations and a mix of qualitative and quantitative elements, suggests that longer-term mobility fosters multi‑level identities (country of origin, country of residence, and European) and a stronger sense of Europeanness. The thesis concludes that European transnationals have the potential to shape EU integration toward deeper political integration, but that low awareness of rights and language barriers constrain active participation. It also points to the need to reinforce political rights in the country of residence to unlock this potential. The findings are indicative and reflect the study’s limited scope; they highlight that, from an integration perspective, the most impactful transnationals maintain ties to their home country while developing identities with their host country and with Europe.

[This summary has been generated with the help of AI directly from the project (PDF)]

European Transnationals ; European Citizenship ; European Identity ; European Transnationalism ; European Integration ; Political Integration ; Freedom of Movement ; Romanians in Denmark ; Acculturation ; Federalism ; Neofunctionalism

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