'Faculty of Political Science, University of Zagreb'
Abstract
Europa se kroz svoju povijest ustrojavala kroz dva modela. Prvi se temeljio na teritorijalnoj ekspanziji regionalnih sila, koje su silom slamale otpor svojih slabijih susjeda i uspostavljale ravnotežu snaga te na taj način, barem privremeno, onemogućavale radikalnije promjene u poretku. Taj model provodio se sve do kraja Drugog svjetskog rata. Drugi model izgrađuje se na europskoj integraciji. Taj proces nije usmjeren prema ekspanzionističkom širenju regionalnih sila i teritorijalnom osvajanju susjeda, već pretpostavlja inicijativu slabijih za priključenje organizacijama koje mogu zadovoljiti njihove interese i ciljeve. U procesu integracije nema prisilnih metoda, ali se suočavamo s asimetričnim odnosom između periferije i središta (slabijih i jačih). Zemlje koje pripadaju središtu određuju standarde članstva “periferiji” i ocjenjuju njihovu praktičnu provedbu. Zemlje “središta” u povoljnijem su položaju od država “periferije”, jer u procesu integracije jačaju kolektivni identitet, dok slabije države, prihvaćajući standarde “jačih” moraju mijenjati svoj izvorni identitet.In the course of its history, Europe has structured itself by means of two models. The first was based on the territorial expansion of regional forces that used violence to break down the resistance of their weaker neighbors and establish the balance of power. In this way, at least temporarily, the way was paved for more radical changes in their polities. This model was in use until the end of World War II. The second model has been built around European integration. The aim of this process has not been the expansion of regional powers and the territorial conquest of their neighbors; it is based on the initiative of the weak to join the organizations that can satisfy their interests and goals. The process of integration excludes coercive methods. However, there is certain asymmetry in the relationship between the center and the periphery (the strong and the weak). The countries that belong to the center define the membership standards for the \u27periphery\u27 and evaluate their implementation. The \u27central\u27 countries are in a better position than the peripheral ones since the process of integration bolsters their collective identity, while the weaker states — by accepting the standards of stronger countries — have to alter their original identity
