Conclusion

Abstract

Abolition of the borders, yes; Dutch cheese with Greek salad, no. This remark by an Austrian student expresses both a positive attitude toward the pros pect of further European integration and some reservations about that prospect. It was, no doubt, intended to be understood as being in praise both of the preser vation of diversity and of the elimination of a number of barriers within Europe. A similar opinion was expressed by respondents from all participating countries. The richness of national and regional diversity has been singled out as the main asset of a future united Europe. In this respect, the opinions of Europeans were in agreement with those of respondents from outside Europe who some times expressed sheer delight at European diversity. However, they are perhaps overoptimistic in thinking that these two factors, unity and diversity, can coexist for a long period of time. The opening of borders does after all offer an op portunity for Dutch cheese to be combined with Greek salad. However, the issue does have wider implications. Almost unanimous acceptance of the integration processes in Europe is not combined with an awareness of some of its possible consequences, especially for some of the less economically developed countries. This is particularly true of those respondents who are inhabitants of countries that aspire to membership in the European Community. Polish and Lithuanian students who took part in the research were fully aware of the existence of ob stacles to their countries' integration with the European Community. They were aware, above all, of a gap between two civilizations and of the economic failure of all postcommunist countries. In spite of this, the very remoteness of the pros pect of membership in the European Community by their countries and the ap pearance of barriers erected by the Community against them caused not only disappointment but also frustration. The students from EC member states did not seem to be any more reflective than their counterparts from the former Eastern Bloc. A very surprising feature of the responses received was the reaction, or rather lack of reaction, to the com monly perceived German domination in Europe. This could be a sign of radical