The Race equality directive: ‘differentiated’ or ‘differential’ Europeanisation in the new EU member states?
LTReikšminiai žodžiai: Darbo jėgos migracija; Darbo migracija; Diskriminacija; Europeizacija; Europetizacija; Europizacija; Naujos ES narės; Naujosios ES narės; Naujosios ES šalės narės; Rasinės lygybės direktyva; Rasių lygubės direktyva; Discrimination; Equality Directive; Europeanisation; Labour migration; Lithuania; New EU member states; New EU memeber states; Race; Race Equality Directive.
ENThis article examines the Race Equality Directive (RED) and its transposition in the context of a new European Union (EU) member state, Baltic Lithuania. Taking this post-communist society as a case study, it is suggested that while formal legislative compliance with the RED has been broadly attained, transposed anti-discrimination legislation and national policy implementation initiatives may not adequately take into account societal attitudes and norms. The historical legacy of Soviet times, the contemporary post-communist experience, and the current economic crisis have resulted in a fragile national identity and a propensity towards populist and even xenophobic responses to uncertainty. These factors are explored in terms of their potential for undermining the objectives of EU-derived legislation designed to promote racial and ethnic tolerance. The article concludes that while a ‘differentiated’ Europeanisation has not occurred in formal terms, the possibility exists of ‘differential’ Europeanisation emerging in post-communist new EU member states such as Lithuania. [From the publication]
