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Analysts: Slovaks Lack of Confidence in Own Strengths and Abilities
Friday 01 January 2010 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, January 1 (TASR) - Slovaks are to a certain extent proud of having an independent country although there is still a sense of a lack of confidence in their own strengths and abilities, said sociologist Paul Haulik in reference to the 17th anniversary of the setting-up of the Slovak Republic.
"The pride shows up when certain accomplishments, either economic or sports ones or others, emerge, but it's still very fragile," he added. Although Slovaks have coalesced with their state, and many take it for granted, their views are subject to change.
"Any minor failure is perceived by the public as evidence of an inability to control the situation. From this perspective, Slovaks are much less steady than surrounding nations that have had their own states for a long time now," he said.
Political analyst Rastislav Toth believes that Slovaks lack pride. "It isn't supported by anything. Moreover, even statehood falls apart with entry to the European Union, meaning that Slovaks view themselves as partly citizens of the Slovak Republic and partly of the European Union, with the rootlessness of the state visible," he said.
This is also reflected in non-attendance at elections at all levels. "As far as years of statehood are concerned the state has not entered hearts and minds. It's a mistake of the state, not of the people, that there are constant arguments at the central level. This then feeds through to misgivings among citizens as to whether the state is good or not," he said.
Slovaks' pride in the independent state is inadequate, agrees political scientist Miroslav Kusy. "In part we've become an independent state, but at the same time part of Europe, meaning that we've surrendered much of our sovereignty to the European Union," he said, adding that pride requires historical roots. "This is too short a period for us to have this evolve in that way. The young generation may build up that feeling but it needs time," he added.
Among the positives Kusy pointed mainly to Slovakia's entry to the European Union and NATO and the introduction of the euro. "We've become part of Europe, not merely formally. That means that Europe has begun perceiving us as a political entity to be reckoned with. That's a terrific thing. Up until then they confused us with Slovenia but we've suddenly become a fully fledged political entity," he said.
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