Serbia's return to Europe: Reasons, obstacles, exptectations and the EU factor

According to rational choice institutionalists, actors move in line with an instrumental and strategic logic in their attempt to realize their pre-determined policy targets. Actors seek membership in an international institution when they estimate that it is beneficial in maximizing their interests. Institutions in this perspective are viewed in functionalist, instrumentalist and pragmatist terms. As a case in point, the Republic of Serbia views the European Union in institutional terms as a ?strategic instrument? primarily to return to Europe, and also to consolidate its democracy, recover from war, improve its economy, and regain its dignity.There are, however, strong domestic and international hurdles in front of Serbia in its efforts towards reconstruction and return to Europe. According to the theory, the most determinate influence over foreign policy of a country depends on the identities, interests and relative influence of major social groups in domestic politics. Thus, for example, governmental foreign policy decisions to integrate with the EU can be derailed by influential domestic groups should it mean a sacrifice on their part even when the integration brings net profit to the society as a whole. Therefore, the position of major domestic institutions such as the Church, the military, the judiciary, the police and the media on national issues such as EU membership, NATO accession, reforms, cooperation with the War Crimes Tribunal and the status of Kosovo is of great significance.This research suggests that the post-Cold War experience of Serbia proves the validity of rational choice institutionalist arguments to a large extent. Tired of war, crises, degradation and conflicts, Serbs have come to believe that living a normal life in economic and political terms, and winning their dignity back, required a return to Europe. All the Serbian governments since the democratic revolution have taken this view held by the Serbian people into consideration and come to the conclusion that the best instrument in the realisation of national interests is the European Union membership. In the process, however, major groups and institutions in Serbia initially have resisted the reforms demanded by the EU for membership. But, as the institutional relations with the EU have developed, Serbia has begun to find itself adapting, sometimes consciously and sometimes unknowingly, to the rules of the EU. The institutions mentioned and Serbia as a whole, have been very strongly influenced by the EU on several issues including those ?national? matters and they have come to reformulate their interests and strategies. In this sense, the EU enjoys a transformative influence, and continues to be a center of attraction despite all its weaknesses.