Portugal and Eastern Europe: after the revolution, democratic Europe

Article is part of a special issue entitled 'Spain and Portugal in the European Union. The first fifteen years'.
Article abstract:

This essay argues that there exists a crucial triangle for speedy European integration and the institutionalisation of representative democracy: a strong state-nation, strong elites and a reasonable level of economic development. In the author's view, Portugal was able to accomplish a democratic revolution and accession to the EU because it was a strong state-nation, had competitive elites, and was a cohesive society. He suggests that Eastern European candidates should rebuild their elites and increase social cohesiveness before becoming full EU state-members. If they come in too quickly, they will be unable to cope with the challenges they will have to deal with later on.