Current Problems of Danish Foreign Policy

Nation State vs. European Integration: Specific Approach of the Kingdom of Denmark ------------------------------------ The doctoral thesis analyses specific approach of Denmark to the European integration process, with focus on the analysis of the public opinion, operationalised by the concept of public euroscepticism. Firstly, the thesis strives do define convenient model of typology of public euroscepticism, able to describe its intensity and different forms. Secondly, case study of Denmark as a pure example of a small nation state is applied to this model. Firstly, the case study describes basic pillars of the Danish society, as the perception of the nation state, economic model of the welfare state, political system etc. Furthermore it analyses political and public debates before the "European" referendums and in relation to other milestones and priorities of the Danish EC/EU membership. Special attention is given to the analysis of Danish opt-outs of the Treaty of Maastricht, its causes, consequences and future. The outcomes of the analysis are used together with Eurobarometer surveys to define the typology of Danish public euroscepticism and its development. It is characterized as soft and sovereignty-based with decreasing tendency. It is true to say that especially the perception of the state sovereignty and national identity within Denmark, i.e. other small nation states, as a consequence of the nation state concept, is one of the main factors influencing its approach to the European integration quite significantly.