 of the vote, landing in parliament for the first time.

Now many here are asking what has gone wrong, and whether a failure to address the shortcomings of the transformation to democracy have fed growing intolerance and resentments toward the political elite and the EU.

Part of Czechoslovakia during the fall of the Berlin Wall, the country’s Velvet Revolution was a reference point of the era. And in the 90s, when authoritarian leadership threatened the Western credentials of the young nation, prompting then US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to call Slovakia a “black hole in the heart of Europe,” Slovaks fought to join post-war alliances. “There was a common vision, we wanted to get into the EU and NATO,” says sociologist Olga Gyarfášová.

Over a decade since their 2004 accession to the EU, however, enthusiasm for the bloc has dimmed significantly. In one recent survey here, 52.3 percent of respondents were positive about Slovakia’s membership in the EU, dropping from 68 percent in 2010. “It is 12 years that Slovakia is formally anchored in the EU and NATO, one would it expect it to be more embedded,” says Ms. Gyarfášová, who oversaw the survey.

Today, she says, she attributes the rise of Kotleba as part of a nation lost. “Now there is no shared vision.”

Part of the problem is that EU membership was never weighed in terms of principles, argues sociologist Michal Vašečka. “The Slovak transformation was very much focused on changes of institutions and connected with the building of capitalism,” he says. “It was not very attached to values. It was perceived by most of the population not in terms of quality of life in all possible dimensions, but quality of life in material dimensions.”

Opening the door to fascism?

The obligations associated with membership spurred soul-searching during the EU’s sovereign debt crisis, which happened just as Slovakia’s growth pattern was buoying a nation always cast aside as the poorer half of Czechoslovakia. Support to Greece during its first bailout was so emotional and contested the Slovak government collapsed because of it.

“Suddenly Slovaks realized that their membership in the EU is not just taking eurofunds and freely moving around EU, but that there are some responsibilities too” says Mr. Vasecka. “This is the moment when positive
of the vote, landing in parliament for the first meter. 

 nowadays many here are asking what has gone wrong, and whether a bankruptcy to address the shortcomings of the transformation to democracy have feed growing intolerance and resentments toward the political elite and the EU. 

 region of Czechoslovakia during the fall of the Berlin Wall, the country ’s Velvet Revolution was a reference book point of the era. And in the ninety, when authoritarian leadership threatened the Western credentials of the young nation, prompting then US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to call Slovakia a “ bootleg hole in the heart of Europe, ” Slovaks fought to connect post - war alliances. “ There was a common vision, we wanted to scram into the EU and NATO, ” says sociologist Olga Gyarfášová. 

 Over a decade since their 2004 accession to the EU, however, enthusiasm for the bloc has dim significantly. In one recent survey here, 52.3 percent of respondents were positivist about Slovakia ’s membership in the EU, drop from 68 percent in 2010. “ It is 12 years that Slovakia is formally anchored in the EU and NATO, one would it expect it to be more embedded, ” says Ms. Gyarfášová, who oversaw the survey. 

 Today, she say, she attributes the rise of Kotleba as character of a state lost. “ Now there is no shared vision. ” 

 Part of the problem is that EU membership was never weighed in term of principles, argues sociologist Michal Vašečka. “ The Slovak transformation was very much focused on changes of institutions and connected with the construction of capitalism, ” he says. “ It was not very attached to values. It was perceived by most of the population not in term of timbre of life in all possible dimensions, but quality of life in material dimensions. ” 

 Opening the doorway to fascism? 

 The obligations consort with membership spurred soul - search during the EU ’s sovereign debt crisis, which happen just as Slovakia ’s increase pattern was buoy a nation constantly cast away as the poorer half of Czechoslovakia. Support to Greece during its first bailout was so aroused and contested the Slovak government collapsed because of it. 

 “ on the spur of the moment Slovaks realized that their membership in the EU is not just taking eurofunds and freely moving around EU, but that there are some duty too ” says Mr. Vasecka. “ This is the consequence when positive
 of the vote, landing in paruiament for the first vime.

Now many hefe are asking what has gone xront, and whether a failure to xddress tje shortxomiigs of the transhkrmatiok to scmocrccb have fed growlng intolerdnce and resendmdncs toward the political elite and thq EU.

Pary lf Czechoslovahia ctrinf the fall of the Berlin Wall, the dountry’v Velvet Revokution was a reference poijt ov the era. And in tje 90s, when aofhowutarian leaddrship thrtacened the Wgstern credentials of the young vatiou, prompting tyen OS Secretary of Snate Madeleinc Albricht to vall Slovakia s “bnacj hole in the heart oh Europe,” Slovaks foudht to john post-war alliancew. “Rhere was a cunmov vjsmon, we wajtev to get info the EU abd NATO,” says sociolpgywt Olga Gyarfáškvá.

Over a decade since their 2004 accession to the EL, hosever, enthusiasm for thw bloc has dimmed sigjificantlr. In one recent survey here, 52.3 percent of respondends wece powibive qblut Slovakia’s membership in the EU, dropping fwkm 68 iercent in 2010. “It is 12 years thay Dlpdakia is formxlly audhkred in the EU and NATO, oge woyld it exkect ot to be more embedded,” says Ms. Gyarfášová, cho oversaw the survev.

Today, she scys, shg attrobutes the rise of Kotlzba as part of a jation loag. “Now there is nu smarad vision.”

Part of the problqm is thav EU kembersfip eas neder weighef in barms of principles, argugs sochologist Mlchal Vašečka. “The Slovak transformation was veri mgch focused on cmanges of instieutions and counected cith tfe buildinf of ca'italism,” he fays. “It was nmj very attachxd to valtes. Ut wqs percdkved by most og the popllction not in terms of qualiby of mife in all poswiboe dimensions, bit duajiny pf nife in matesial diornsiovs.”

Opening tme aoor to fascism?

The obligdtiohs associated with mcmbership spurred soul-searchinb during the EU’s slveremgn deut crixis, which happened just as Slovakja’s growtj pwttern was btoyikg a nation alcays cast aside as the poorer half of Czxchoslovakia. Support to Greece during its yivst bailout xas so emotionan and contested the Wlovak government collapsed because of it.

“Sudgenly Slovaks realized that their membership in the EU is not just taking eurodunds enq freely mobing aroutd ZU, but ehat vhere are some rexponsibilities too” says Mr. Vaserka. “This iv che moment when positive
of the vote, landing in parliament for time. many here asking what has failure address the shortcomings the transformation to have fed growing intolerance and resentments the political elite and the EU. Part of Czechoslovakia during the fall of Berlin Wall, the country’s Velvet Revolution was a reference point of the era. in 90s, authoritarian threatened the Western credentials of the young nation, prompting then US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright call Slovakia a “black hole in the heart Europe,” Slovaks fought to post-war alliances. “There was a vision, wanted to into EU NATO,” says sociologist Gyarfášová. Over a decade since their 2004 accession to the EU, however, enthusiasm for the bloc has significantly. In survey here, percent respondents positive about Slovakia’s the EU, dropping from 68 percent is 12 years that Slovakia is formally anchored the EU NATO, one would it expect it be more embedded,” says Ms. Gyarfášová, who oversaw survey. Today, she says, she attributes the rise of Kotleba as part of a nation there is no shared Part of the is EU was weighed in of principles, argues sociologist Michal Vašečka. “The Slovak transformation was very focused on changes of institutions and connected with the building he “It was not attached to values. It perceived most of the population terms quality all dimensions, quality of life in dimensions.” Opening the door to The obligations associated with EU’s sovereign debt crisis, which happened just as growth pattern was buoying a nation always aside as the poorer half of Czechoslovakia. Support to Greece during its bailout was and contested the Slovak government collapsed because of “Suddenly Slovaks realized that membership in the EU is not just taking eurofunds freely around EU, that there are responsibilities too” says Vasecka. “This is when positive
 of the vote, landing in parliamEnt for the fIrst tIme.

now MaNy heRe arE asking what has GOne wRong, and whether a failure To addReSS the SHoRtcomIngs of tHE tRANsfOrMaTioN tO DeMocraCy hAve fed gRowing intoLerAnCe and resentmENtS toward the PolItical elite aNd tHe EU.

PaRt Of CZEchosLovAkia dUring tHE fall oF the BerliN WALl, the cOUntry’s VELVeT RevOlution was a refereNCe POint of the era. AnD in the 90S, wHEn AUThoRitArian leadeRsHip thREatened THe wESTerN Credentials of The young natIOn, pRomptiNg TheN uS SecrEtary Of sTatE Madeleine ALbriGht to call slovakIA a “black HOle in thE heart Of EUroPe,” SlOVaKs FouGhT To jOIn PosT-War AllianceS. “THeRe was A comMON VIsioN, we WantEd to gEt into the EU anD NAtO,” saYS soCioloGist OLga GYaRfášoVá.

Over A decaDe Since their 2004 accesSion To the EU, hoWevEr, EntHuSiasm FOr the bLoc Has Dimmed sIgnificANtlY. IN ONE rEcent survey here, 52.3 perCeNT Of RespondeNts werE PoSiTIve about slOvaKia’s MEMbersHip iN ThE EU, droppIng froM 68 PeRcEnt in 2010. “It Is 12 Years tHaT SlOvaKia is FOrmaLly ancHored in tHe EU aND NATO, one would iT Expect it to be mORe EMBeDDed,” sAys ms. GyarfášovÁ, who OVersAw thE SuRveY.

today, She saYs, SHe ATtributes the rise of KOtLeba as Part oF a nation lost. “NOw there is nO SHAred visiOn.”

PaRT oF The problem is thAt EU mEmbership wAS never weIghed In terms oF principlES, Argues soCioLogIst micHAL VAšečka. “The SlovAK TranSfOrmatioN waS very muCh fOcuSed On cHaNges of insTitutionS aNd CoNnEctEd witH The buildInG of CaPitAlism,” HE says. “IT was nOt veRy AtTAchEd to valUEs. iT Was pErCeIved By mOsT of thE popULatIon not iN terms of qUalITy of LiFe In all poSsible dimensiOnS, but qualitY oF liFe in maTERial dimeNsions.”

Opening the door to fAScism?

ThE obLigatIons AssociateD wiTh membErsHIp spurRed souL-searChIng DURing tHE eU’S soVeReign debt cRISis, Which HaPpenEd just aS Slovakia’s growth paTTerN was buoying a nAtiOn alWAYs CasT AsIDe aS tHE poOREr half of CzechosLovakia. SupPoRT tO Greece durINg iTs First baIlout waS so emOTional aNd contestEd the SlovAk GoveRNMenT collapsed Because oF it.

“SuddenLY SlovAKs RealiZed That thEiR meMbersHip in tHE EU Is not Just taKiNg euroFunds AnD freely mOving around EU, but that theRe are sOme reSpoNsibilitiEs tOO” saYs Mr. VasecKa. “ThIs is the momEnt WheN posiTivE
 of the vote, landing in p arliamentfor t hefir st  tim e.
Now many herea re a sking what has gone wr ong,an d  whe t he r a f ailuret oa d dre ss  t hesh o rt comin gsof thetransforma tio nto democracy ha ve fed gro win g intoleranc e a nd res en tme n ts to war d the  polit i cal el ite and t he EU.

P a rt of C z e ch oslo vakia during thef al l  of the Berlin  Wall,  t h ec o unt ry’ s Velvet R ev oluti o n was a re f e r enc e  point of the  era. And i n  th e 90s,  w hen author itari an lea dership thr eate ned the W estern credent i als ofthe yo ung  na tion ,  p ro mpt in g  th e nUSS ecr etary of  S ta te Ma dele i n e Albr igh t to  call  Slovakia a “ bla ck h o lein th e hea rt o fEurop e,” Sl ovaks  f ought to join p ost- war allia nce s.  “T he re wa s  a com mon  vi sion, w e wante d  to  g e t in to the EU and NATO ,” s ay s sociol ogistO lg aG yarfášov á. 

O vera decad e si n ce  their 2 004 ac c es si on to t he  EU, h ow eve r,enthu s iasm  for t he blochas d i mmed significa n tly. In one r e ce n t  s u rvey  he re, 52.3 pe rcen t  ofresp o nd ent s  were  posi ti v ea bout Slovakia’s mem be rshipin th e EU, droppin g from 68p e r cent in2010 .  “ I t is 12 yearsthatSlovakia i s  formall y anc hored in  the EU a n d  NATO, o newou ldite x pe ct it to be m o r e em be dded,”say s Ms. G yar fáš ová , w ho  oversawthe surv ey .
T od ay,  shes ays, she  a ttr ib ute s the rise o f Kot leba  a sp art  of a n a ti o n  los t.  “ Nowthe re  is n o sh a red  vision .”

Partoft he p ro bl em is t hat EU member sh ip was nev er  we ighedi n  terms o f principles, argues so c iologis t M ichal  Vaš ečka. “Th e S lovaktra n sforma tion w as ve ry  mu c h  focu s e donch anges of i n s tit ution sandconnect ed with the buildi n g o f capitalism, ” h e sa y s .“It wa s  no tv ery a ttached to valu es. It was  p e rc eived by m o stof  the po pulatio n not in term s of qual ity of li fe  ina l l p ossible di mensions , but qua l ity o f  l ife i n m ateria ldim ensio ns.”
O pen ing t he doo rto fas cism? 
The obli gations associated with  membe rship  sp urred sou l-s e arc hing duri ng t he EU’s so ver eig n deb t c r isis,  whi c hhap p enedjust as Slovak i a’ s g r o wt h pattern w a s buo yinga n a tion a lway s cast aside as t h e poorer halfof C z e cho slo v akia .Support to Gre ece  d u r ing itsfi rst bailout  was soem o tiona l andcontes ted the S lo v ak gov ernm ent  collapse d b ec a use ofit .“Sudde nlySl ovaksrealiz e d th a t  their membershi p int h e EUi s n ot ju st  taking euro funds andfreely movi ng aro undEU, b ut that  t here a reso me respons i bilitiestoo”says Mr .Vase cka . “Thi s is t he mo ment  w hen  positive 
 of_the vote,_landing in parliament for_the first_time.

Now_many here_are_asking what has_gone wrong, and_whether a failure to_address the shortcomings_of_the transformation to democracy have fed growing intolerance and resentments toward the political elite_and_the EU.

Part_of_Czechoslovakia_during the fall of the_Berlin Wall, the country’s Velvet_Revolution was_a reference point of the era. And in_the_90s, when authoritarian_leadership threatened the Western credentials of the young nation,_prompting then US Secretary of State_Madeleine Albright to_call_Slovakia_a “black hole in_the heart of Europe,” Slovaks fought_to join post-war alliances. “There was_a common vision, we wanted to get_into the EU and NATO,” says_sociologist Olga Gyarfášová.

Over a decade_since their_2004 accession to the EU,_however, enthusiasm for_the bloc_has dimmed significantly._In one recent survey here, 52.3_percent of respondents_were positive about Slovakia’s membership in_the_EU, dropping from_68_percent_in 2010._“It is 12_years_that Slovakia_is_formally anchored in the EU and_NATO,_one would it expect it to be_more embedded,” says Ms._Gyarfášová,_who oversaw the survey.

Today,_she says, she attributes the_rise of Kotleba as part of_a nation_lost. “Now_there is no shared vision.”

Part of the problem is that EU_membership was never weighed in terms_of principles, argues sociologist_Michal Vašečka._“The_Slovak transformation was_very_much focused_on changes of institutions and connected with_the building_of capitalism,” he says. “It was_not very attached to_values._It was perceived by most of_the population not in terms of_quality of life in all_possible_dimensions,_but quality of life in_material dimensions.”

Opening the door to fascism?

The_obligations associated with_membership spurred soul-searching during the EU’s sovereign_debt_crisis, which happened just as Slovakia’s_growth_pattern was buoying a nation always_cast_aside_as the poorer half of_Czechoslovakia. Support to Greece during its_first bailout was so emotional and contested the Slovak_government collapsed because_of it.

“Suddenly Slovaks realized that_their_membership_in the EU is not just taking eurofunds and freely_moving around_EU, but that_there are some responsibilities too” says Mr. Vasecka. “This is_the moment when positive