European Union Chapter 1 Quiz

Part of being part of Europe entails experiencing “Europeanization.” What does Kubicek mean by this?

Europeanization is the process by which European countries adapt their policies, institutions, and political behaviors to align with broader European norms, influenced by the EU and shared European identity. It involves both top-down pressures and internalized values of Europe.

As a general term to describe European politics, Kubicek introduces the term “multi-level governance.” What specific patterns of political behavior does Kubicek associate with such governance?

Multi-level governance refers to the sharing of political authority across local, national, and supranational levels. It involves coordination of policy across states, influence of EU institutions on national law, and diffusion of authority beyond a single national center.

Turkey has had its application to join the European Union for a long time, and without success. Give two reasons why Turkey may never be able to join the EU, and indeed why it may not even be considered a fully European country.

Turkey faces challenges due to its geographic and cultural position straddling Europe and Asia, raising questions about its “European” identity, and because its political, human rights, and economic standards have not consistently aligned with EU requirements.

What are two values that Kubicek describes as constitutive of Europe as a cultural community?

Democracy and human rights, along with social solidarity and the rule of law, are core values defining Europe as a cultural community.

Kubicek mentions Slobodan Milosevic, the former President of Serbia. What does Milosevic represent, in relation to modern Europe’s political identity?

Milosevic represents the resurgence of nationalism and ethnic conflict, which contrast with modern Europe’s emphasis on integration, democracy, and peaceful coexistence among diverse communities.

Although Europe may be a “world power,” it is not a “fully fledged superpower.” Why not?

Europe is influential economically and diplomatically, but its military capacity is fragmented and lacks a unified command, preventing it from acting as a global superpower like the U.S. or China.

What is the difference between “hard” and “soft” power? Make sure your answer describes what each kind of power is.

Hard power involves coercion, such as military force or economic pressure. Soft power relies on attraction—cultural appeal, diplomacy, or shared values—to influence outcomes without coercion.

What are the political and economic elements of the “European Social Model”?

Politically, it emphasizes welfare, social protection, and labor rights. Economically, it combines regulated markets with strong public services and redistributive policies to balance efficiency with equity.

In very general terms, how does Kubicek describe the process of state formation in modern European history?

Modern European state formation involved consolidating centralized authority, legal frameworks, and territorial control, shaped by war, trade, and social development.

What two features distinguish modern European states from the forms of political organization that existed previously?

Legal and bureaucratic centralization, and 2) sovereign control over a defined territory and population.

Kubicek contrasts two forms of nationalism. What are they, and how do they differ?

Civic nationalism emphasizes shared political values and citizenship; ethnic nationalism emphasizes common ancestry, culture, or language.

In Kubicek’s telling, Great Britain was “the birthplace of modern democracy.” What two events in the long history of that country provide evidence for this claim?

The Magna Carta (1215), which limited monarchic power, and the Glorious Revolution (1688), which established parliamentary sovereignty.

How does the idea of government as a “social contract” support democracy as a specific form of government?

It supports democracy by framing authority as derived from the consent of the governed, emphasizing participation, accountability, and legitimacy.

In what decade was the transition to universal male suffrage in European electoral politics most widespread?

Most widespread in the late 19th century

Which western European country was the last to grant women equal voting rights? In what year did this occur?

Switzerland, 1971

Obviously, fascism as an historical experience was undemocratic. Beyond that, though, in what specific way did fascism challenge and reject democratic values?

Fascism rejected democracy by prioritizing authoritarian leadership, suppressing political pluralism, and subordinating individual rights to the state.

After World War II, Germany prospered economically much more than did Great Britain, even though Germany lost the war and Great Britain was on the winning side. What accounts for Germany’s postwar economic success?

Germany benefited from the Marshall Plan, economic reforms, a skilled labor force, preserved industrial capacity, and social market policies encouraging reconstruction.

What was the economic “Golden Age” of modern Europe? When did this age begin to end, and for what reasons?

Roughly 1950–1973, marked by rapid growth and low unemployment; ended due to oil crises, inflation, and structural challenges.

Kubicek makes one simple observation about Eastern Europe during the 19th century which he contends is relevant for understanding the challenges that have faced Eastern European countries in the 20th century. What is this basic fact which distinguishes Eastern from Western European political development?

Eastern Europe had delayed state formation, fragmented territories, and weaker institutions, contributing to political instability and vulnerability in the 20th century.

A politician of this country was quoted as saying “we might be the first country which, by unifying, created two peoples.” Which country is this, and what are the two peoples?

Germany; the unification created East Germans and West Germans, reflecting distinct regional identities within a single state.

What basic demographic fact about the former Yugoslavia made it such a fraught place prone to political violence?

The region was ethnically and religiously diverse, making political consensus difficult and fueling nationalist conflicts.

Parliaments are the most common form of legislative bodies found in European politics. Unlike legislatures in the United States, European parliaments are characterized by 1) greater party discipline on the part of parliamentarians, and 2) less lawmaking authority (“pro forma” authority) than their American counterparts. Why is this so?

Party discipline is higher because votes are closely tied to party platforms, and lawmaking authority is limited because executive power dominates policy, leaving parliaments mainly oversight or symbolic functions.

Under circumstances that vary from country to country, national parliaments can hold votes of no confidence. Why do these votes take place, and what are their consequences if they succeed?

They occur when parliament loses faith in the government; if successful, the government must resign, triggering new elections or formation of a new coalition.

A basic contrast both within European national politics, and between Europe and the United States, is that between majoritarian/plurality legislative systems and those based on proportional representation. Name one strength, and one weakness, attributed to each of these types of system.

• Majoritarian: Strength—clear governance; Weakness—underrepresentation of minorities.

• PR: Strength—reflects diversity; Weakness—coalition complexity and slower decision-making.

What is the difference between a unicameral and a bicameral legislative system? Give two European examples of each.

Unicameral: one chamber (e.g., Denmark, Sweden).
Bicameral: two chambers (e.g., Germany—Bundestag and Bundesrat; UK—House of Commons and House of Lords).

What does “electoral threshold” mean in European election systems? What is the general consequence of having a high or low electoral threshold?

It is the minimum vote share a party needs to enter parliament. High thresholds reduce small-party representation; low thresholds allow more parties in.

On page 134, Kubicek provides an illustration of a German voting ballot. Apart from the complexities of the German electoral system, what basic task is a German voter invited to perform with that ballot that doesn’t happen in other electoral systems?

Voters cast two votes: one for a local representative and one for a party list, combining direct and proportional representation.

Election systems with just two major parties are typically described as vying for the “median voter.” In addition, what tends to be true in these systems about the internal characteristics of either party?

Parties converge toward the center ideologically and often reduce internal factionalism to appeal to the median voter.

Just as there are distinctive strengths and weaknesses associated with majoritarian/plurality and PR systems, so too are there distinctive party configurations (number and size of parties) associated with each system. What configuration do majoritarian systems tend to produce? What do PR systems tend to produce?

Majoritarian: two-party systems.
PR: multi-party systems with coalition governments.

According to Judt, how did French interests at the end of World War II encourage them to accept economic cooperation with their defeated German enemy?

France needed economic recovery and security; cooperating with Germany promoted stability and prevented future conflict.

According to Judt, what were Germany’s interests after World War II? How did these German priorities relate to France’s?

Germany aimed to rebuild its economy and reintegrate with Europe, aligning with France’s desire for stability and cooperation.

Although the Common Agricultural Policy of the early EU has been subject to widespread criticism (and for good reason!) Judt argues that the CAP played an important role in legitimating the project of European integration. How did the CAP make integration easier in policy areas outside of agriculture?

CAP provided immediate agricultural benefits, fostering trust and political buy-in, which eased cooperation in non-agricultural policies.

Judt makes the following remarkable claim: Hitler's lasting gift to Europe was thus the degree to which he and his collaborators made it impossible henceforth to dwell with comfort upon the past. What does Judt mean by this?

The atrocities of Nazi Germany forced Europe to confront history critically and pursue reconciliation, preventing complacent or romanticized views of the past.

Judt distinguishes Western from Eastern Europe in the following way: the salient divisions in Western Europe are north/south, while those in Eastern Europe are east/west. What are these divisions within their respective parts of Europe?

Western Europe: economic and cultural divides (north/south).
Eastern Europe: political and imperial legacies create east/west divisions.

Judt suggests that the way states formed in Western Europe versus Eastern Europe is important for understanding the difference between these two parts of Europe. What, according to Judt, are the contrasting experiences of state formation?

Western Europe had early centralized states with stable institutions; Eastern Europe experienced delayed, fragmented, and externally imposed state structures.

As you know, Eastern European countries were part of a Soviet-dominated bloc until the events beginning in 1989. According to Judt, what is the legacy of the communist experience for those Eastern countries, particularly with respect to their possible membership in the EU?

Communism left authoritarian central planning, weak institutions, and economic underdevelopment, complicating democratization and integration into the EU.