Factors of Party System Europeanisation: A Comparison of Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro

Abstract

For the former Yugoslav republics involved in the 1991–1995 War, the EU’s demands are not only defined by the relationship of these EU-aspiring countries to EU political criteria and harmonization with the acquis communautaire, but primarily, and very importantly, in relation to maintaining peace and developing security in the region. Our primary research interest is to find an explanation for the variations seen between Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro in their responses to very similar EU demands. While the three analysed countries share some common characteristics (former communist rule, involvement in the War in former Yugoslavia, postponed transition to democracy and Europeanization pressures), their relations with the EU as well as their national party system competitions regarding EU matters have differed quite significantly. Variations in the three countries’ national party system mechanics in the field of EU matters are explained by the three following variables: institutionalization of the national party system; the European socialization of national party élites and voters’ attitudes to their country’s integration into the EU.