North-South Cleavages as a Conceptual Map of the European Union

The European Union is even after more than sixty years of integration, still heavily internally heterogeneous total. Developmental asymmetry is evident in multiple dimensions. If we use the theory of cleavages of Stein Rokkan, then the axis of the split go both in the direction West-East, through the lens of today's reality, therefore, the old - new EU member countries, and thus North-South. Conceptual map of Europe provides a model of internal differentiation. However, this is not just about territorial element of the analysis, but also by itself Rokkan cultural conditions, thus differences in ethnicity, language environment, religion, mentality. Differentiation within the Union is logically more causes that can be identified in specific lines of development. First of all, it´s about historical aspects, both in the political and economic line. While the countries of the North have been long firmly anchored democracy with the diversity of the political orientation of the parties and the higher actual degree of secularization of state and society, the countries of the South on the contrary, in 20. Century, they have passed through authoritarian regimes with realistically higher by linking the church with the political elites, and whose societies are clearly left-leaning now. In the economic sphere a major role have played starting conditions in the formation of cleavages, when the Northern countries have undergone industrialization practically continuously since the first industrial revolution up to now, on the contrary, the countries of the South faced with a delay in industrialization. Of course, an important premise in the early years of industrialization was the amenities raw materials. The consequence of this differential development is the different sectoral and industry structure of national economies. While the Northern countries have a predominant share of the service sector, both in terms of share in the formation of income, on employment, followed by a highly diversified industry focused on IT and creating higher added value, for the regions of the South is typical of large agrarian sector, followed by industry rather as a consumer goods aimed, and services. Sectoral structure of GDP is reflected in export performance. As the most obvious, seems to be the difference in the other economic characteristics – macroeconomic stability, implemented economic policy, the degree of regulation of the economy by the state, the organization of the labour market, labour productivity. Distinct differences between the states North and South are in social models, environmental approach. Cleavage lines inside the EU do not lead purely geographically, but economically, politically, culturally. Therefore, it can be the demarcation of the North, or South flexible according to the focus of the analysis.