Comparing National Experiences of European Integration

There are important differences in citizen's levels of support for European integration across EU member States. One among many explanations emphasizes the key role of national belongings. It is said that perceptions of the process of European unification vary according to national culture and identities. The hypothesis is that different national experiences of European integration could lead to different national perceptions, evaluations, and attitudes. A first aim of this workshop is to provide analyzes of various national experiences of European integration. We need more research on western cases that have already been analyzed, and comparisons with so-called "smaller", and also Eastern, member States of the EU. A second aim is methodological. How scholars may observe these national experiences? What are the best sources and methodologies? The communications to the workshop should not only characterize, but also try to explain, the various national perceptions of European integration. The literature provides several research hypotheses that need to be discussed. Also, to what extent the whole public or only parts of it share national perceptions of European integration? Beyond the Antwerp meeting, the ambition of the workshop is to set up a research group, whose members would share similar research questions and methodologies and would engage in a collective comparative program. Therefore, all communications on methodological, empirical, or/and theoretical aspects of research projects, completed research or work in progress, including discussions of the best relevant sources and data (qualitative, quantitative, quali-quantitative), are welcome, even from scholars who are not planning to join a future collective program.