Les Européens face à l'élargissement

Since May 1, 2004 and for the first time in the history of Europe, there are 25 equal member countries of one and the same political and economic entity, the European Union, all of whom are members as a result of a democratic process. This work puts together a synthesis of the changes among the political elites and public opinion by means of 15 years of surveys and polls carried out among both the older and new member countries, and also beyond the borders of Europe. Using the expertise of top specialists in each country, it offers an understanding by each state and for each state, of the hopes and fears, governmental strategies and regional alliances, the roles of the political elites and changes in public opinion throughout Europe. As a tool to understand the Europe of tomorrow, this book goes beyond the fears and divisions among political elites and public opinion, to show the emergence of a European public opinion. In order to do this it also broaches the question of the role of civil society and underscores the necessity for the EU to redefine its raison d'être, institutions and frontiers. It calls upon the EU to find answers to the questions posed on three major issues: security, solidarity and democracy in European governance.