Integration of Unequal Units: Comparing the German and the European Unification Processes

Based on the differentiation between ‘specific’ and ‘diffuse’ support for political systems, as set out by Easton (1965), the objective of this article is to analyse the reasons for the increased discussion of conflicting interests and different identities in two integration processes: (1) the European one – Western and East Central European countries, focusing on the example of Poland; and (2) the case of Germany – East and West. It is assumed that these two cases are structured similarly and, therefore, can be compared regarding structures of centre and periphery and the differences they symbolise. This article suggests that if relations within the ‘frame of integration’ are perceived as correlating systematically with asymmetrical structures, then feelings of discontent and reactions of protest and resistance may be favoured in peripheries and can lead to exclusive forms of collective identity-construction.