ABSTRACT
This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on concepts discussed in preceding chapters of this book. Modernization theory discussed in the book, predicts that economic development will be accompanied by a concomitant cultural change towards values which are supportive of democracy. In the Mediterranean Basin there is, of course, always one caveat to make: Israel and Palestine. The still unsolved Palestine conflict can create new tensions across the region at any time. Modernization theory claims a connection between democracy and the level of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The Nordic countries have experienced robust growth during the last many years, their state budgets are in surplus and inflation rates low. In 1973, Denmark joined the EU without having to leave the Nordic cooperation. During its development the EU has successfully crossed various cultural divides: The French-German antagonism was transformed into close cooperation early on.
