Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The influence of perception on the preferences of the new member states of the European Union: The case of energy policy

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Comparative European Politics Aims and scope

Abstract

This article analyses the formation of preferences in the sphere of energy policy in the new member states of the EU. It claims that the subjective perception of states’ vulnerability and strength by decision makers, that filter the objective structural and institutional attributes of a state, is a crucial point here. The empirical analysis is based on the preferences of three new members (Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Poland) in energy area. The results show that in the areas where decision makers perceive states as vulnerable (that is, ascribe to them the role of a weak negotiator) states support further deepening of integration to compensate for domestic shortcomings, whereas in areas where decision makers perceive their state to be capable states oppose further integration that could obstruct their ability to deal with challenges.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aggestam, L. (1999) Role Conceptions and the Politics of Identity in Foreign Policy. Oslo: ARENA Working Papers WP 99/08, http://www.deutsche-aussenpolitik.de/resources/seminars/gb/approach/document/wp99_8.htm, accessed 11 January 2012.

  • Aggestam, L. (2006) Role theory and European foreign policy: A framework of analysis. In: O. Elgström and M. Smith (eds.) The European Union’s Roles in International Politics. Concepts and Analysis. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aspinwall, M. (2002) Preferring Europe: Ideology and national preferences on European integration. European Union Politics 3 (1): 81–111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aspinwall, M. (2007) Government preferences on European integration: An empirical test of five theories. British Journal of Political Science 37 (1): 89–115.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belyi, A.V. (2008) EU external energy policies: A paradox of integration. In: J. Orbie (ed.) Europe’s Global Role. External Policies of the EU. Aldershot, UK: Ashgate.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bilčík, V. (2010) Foreign and security policy preferences. In: D. Malová, M. Rybář, V. Bilčík, E. Láštic, Z. Lisoňová, M. Mišík and M. Pašiak (eds.) From Listening to Action? New Member States in the European Union. Bratislava, Slovakia: Devín Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Caplanova, A., Orviska, M. and Hudson, J. (2004) Eastern European attitudes to integration with Western Europe. Journal of Common Market Studies 42 (2): 271–288.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carruba, C.J. (1997) Net financial transfers in the European Union: Who gets what and why? The Journal of Politics 59 (2): 469–496.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chafetz, G., Abramson, H. and Grillot, S. (1996) Role theory and foreign policy: Belarusian and Ukrainian compliance with the nuclear nonproliferation regime. Political Psychology 17 (4): 727–757.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Christiansen, T., Falkner, G. and Jørgsen, K.E. (2002) Theorizing EU treaty reform: Beyond diplomacy and bargaining. Journal of European Public Policy 9 (1): 12–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Copsey, N. and Haughton, T. (2009) The choices for Europe: National preferences in new and old member states. Journal of Common Market Studies 47 (2): 263–286.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Copsey, N. and Pomorska, K. (2010) Poland’s power and influence in the European Union: The case of its eastern policy. Comparative European Politics 8 (3): 281–303.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Delvaux, B. and Guimaraes-Purokoski, A. (2008) Vertical division of competences between the European community and its member states in the energy field – Some remarks on the evolution of community energy law and policy. In: B. Delvaux, M. Hunt and K. Talus (eds.) EU Energy Law and Policy Issues. Rixensart, Belgium: Euroconfidentiel.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duleba, A. (2009) Poučenia z plynovej krízy v januári 2009. Analýza príčin vzniku, pravdepodobnosti opakovania a návrhy opatrení na zvýšenie energetickej bezpečnosti SR v oblasti dodávok zemného plynu. Bratislava: VC SFPA, http://www.sfpa.sk/dokumenty/publikacie/281, accessed 15 February 2012.

  • Energy Regulatory Office. (2010) The 2009 Report on the Activities and Finances of the Energy Regulatory Office, http://www.eru.cz/user_data/files/vyrocni%20zpravy/anglicky/vyrocka09_aj.pdf, accessed 17 February 2012.

  • Energy Regulatory Office in Poland. (2010) National Report to the European Commission, http://www.ure.gov.pl/download/2/77/National_Report_2010_ENG.pdf, accessed 17 February 2012.

  • European Commission (EC). (2009) The January 2009 Gas Supply Disruption to the EU: An Assessment. Brussels, Belgium: European Commission.

  • European Parliament and the Council. (2009) Regulation no. 663/2009 establishing a programme to aid economic recovery by granting Community financial assistance to projects in the field of energy. Official Journal of the European Union, http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2009:200:0031:0045:EN:PDF, accessed 17 February 2012.

  • Frank, C. (2008) Civilian power meets ‘instinctive’ atlanticist: Comparing German and Polish European Security and Defence Policies. Paper presented at the Conference Role Theory Research in International Relations? Conceptual Challenges and Political Promises; 28 September–1 October, Otzenhausen.

  • Freyburg, T. and Richter, S. (2010) National identity matters: The limited impact of EU political conditionality in the Western Balkans. Journal of European Public Policy 17 (2): 263–281.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Green Paper. (2006) A European Strategy for Sustainable, Competitive and Secure Energy (COM (2006) 105). Brussels: Commission of the European Communities.

  • Haghighi, S.S. (2008) Energy security and the division of competences between the European community and its member states. European Law Journal 14 (4): 461–482.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haughton, T. (2009) For business, for pleasure or for necessity: The Czech Republic’s choices for Europe. Europe–Asia Studies 61 (8): 1371–1392.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holsti, K.J. (1970) National role conceptions in the study of foreign policy. International Studies Quarterly 14 (3): 233–309.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hug, S. and König, T. (2002) In view of ratification: Government preferences and domestic constraints at the Amsterdam Intergovernmental Conference. International Organization 56 (2): 447–476.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koenig-Archibugy, M. (2004) Explaining government preferences for institutional change in EU foreign and security policy. International Organization 58 (1): 137–174.

    Google Scholar 

  • Král, D., Bartovic, V. and Řiháčková, V. (2009) The 2009 Czech EU Presidency: Contested Leadership at a Time of Crisis. Stockholm, Sweden: Sieps.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kratochvíl, P. and Kuchyňková, P. (2009) Between the return to Europe and the Eastern enticement: Czech relations to Russia. In: Z. Ludvig and G. Fóti (eds.) EU–Russian Relations and the Eastern Partnership. Budapest, Hungary: Institute for World Economics of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krotz, U. (2002) National Role Conceptions and Foreign Policies: France and Germany Compared. Cambridge: Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies. Working Paper 02.1.

  • Láštic, E. (2010) Five years after: New member states in the European Union. Slovak Sociological Review 42 (1): 33–53.

    Google Scholar 

  • Malová, D. (2010) Introduction. In: D. Malová, M. Rybář, V. Bilčík, E. Láštic, Z. Lisoňová, M. Mišík and M. Pašiak (eds.) From Listening to Action: New Member States in the EU. Bratislava, Slovakia: Devín Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matláry, J.H. (1997) Energy Policy in the European Union. London: Palgrave Macmillan.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Mattila, M. (2004) Contested decisions: Empirical analysis of voting in the European Union Council of Ministers. European Journal of Political Research 43 (1): 29–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mayer, S. (2008) Path dependence and Commission activism in the evolution of the European Union’s external energy policy. Journal of International Relations and Development 11 (3): 251–278.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miklin, E. (2009) Government position on the EU services directive in the council: National interests or individual ideological preferences? West European Politics 32 (8): 943–962.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mišík, M. (2010) Security first: Energy policy in the new member states of the European Union. In: D. Malová, M. Rybář, V. Bilčík, E. Láštic, Z. Lisoňová, M. Mišík and M. Pašiak (eds.) From Listening to Action? New Member States in the European Union. Bratislava, Slovakia: Devín Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moravcsik, A. (1993) Preferences and power in the European Community: A liberal intergovernmentalist approach. Journal of Common Market Studies 31 (4): 473–524.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moravcsik, A. (1998) The Choice for Europe: Social Purpose and State Power from Messina to Maastricht. New York: Cornell University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • MPO. (2004) Státní energetická koncepce České republiky. Schválená uznesením vlády Českej republiky č. 211 z 10. marca 2004, http://download.mpo.cz/get/26650/46323/556503/priloha003.doc, accessed 16 March 2012.

  • Nguyen, E.S. (2008) Drivers and brakemen: State decisions on the road to European Integration. European Union Politics 9 (2): 269–293.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peräkylä, A. (2008) Analyzing talk and text. In: N.K. Denzin and Y.S. Lincoln (eds.) Collecting and Interpreting Qualitative Material. London: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pointvogl, A. (2009) Perceptions, realities, concession – What is driving the integration of European energy policies? Energy Policy 37 (10): 5704–5716.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Regulatory Office for Network Industries. (2010) Annual Report 2009. http://www.urso.gov.sk/doc/vs/VS2009.pdf, accessed 17 February 2012.

  • Roberts, J. (2009) Energy challenges for Europe. In: A. Wenger, R.W. Orttung and J. Perovic (eds.) Energy and the Transformation of International Relations: Towards a New Producer–Consumer Framework. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roth, M. (2011) Poland as a policy entrepreneur in European external energy policy: Towards greater energy solidarity vis-à-vis Russia? Geopolitics 16 (3): 600–625.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rybář, M. (2011) National determinants of international preferences in post-communist Europe: The case of Slovakia in the European Union. Communist and Post-Communist Studies 44 (3): 161–171.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sweet, S.A. and Sandholtz, W. (1997) European integration and supranational governance. Journal of European Public Policy 4 (3): 297–317.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thorhallsson, B. (2006) The size of state in the European Union: Theoretical and conceptual perspectives. European Integration 28 (1): 7–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tucker, J. (2010) Polish Public Opinion Toward Russia in the Aftermath of Smolensk. PONARS Eurasia Policy Memo no. 111, http://www.gwu.edu/~ieresgwu/assets/docs/pepm_111.pdf, accessed 12 January 2012.

  • Umbach, F. (2010) Global energy security and the implication for the EU. Energy Policy 38 (3): 1229–1240.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Verhoeff, E.C. and Niemann, A. (2011) National preferences and the European Union presidency: The case of German energy policy towards Russia. Journal of Common Market Studies 49 (6): 1271–1293.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wyciszkiewicz, E. (ed.) (2009) From August war to January gas war: Implications for post-soviet energy landscape. In: Geopolitics of Pipelines. Energy Interdependence and Inter-state Relations in the Post-soviet Area. Warsaw, Poland: The Polish institute of international affairs.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The work on this article was supported by the Slovak Research and Development Agency grants no. APVV-0660-06 and APVV-0484-10. I am grateful for the comments on the earlier versions of the article made by Darina Malová, Marek Rybář, Erik Láštic, Nathaniel Copsey, Anneliese Dodds, Ed Turner, Carolyn Rowe and the anonymous reviewers. I would also like to thank all the interviewees for their willingness to take part in the research and for sharing their knowledge with me.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Political Science, Comenius University in Bratislava, Gondova 2, PO Box 32, Bratislava, 814 99, Slovakia

    Matúš Mišík

Authors
  1. Matúš Mišík
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Appendix

Appendix

Table A1

Table A1 Interview list
Full size table

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mišík, M. The influence of perception on the preferences of the new member states of the European Union: The case of energy policy. Comp Eur Polit 13, 198–221 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1057/cep.2013.9

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/cep.2013.9

Keywords

Search

Navigation