Will Europe Ever Be "Round and Whole"? Reflections on Economic Boundaries and EU Enlargement after the Collapse of Communism

In: Geopolitics, Volume 6, Issue 1, p. 6-26

Abstract

This article focuses on the difficulties encountered after 1989 in taking forward the idea of European economic integration, probing the boundaries of "Europe" in the sense of economics, economic performance, & EU enlargement. It summarizes some of the main features & legacies of integration in the postwar period in west & east. The 1990s, the first decade of postcommunist transformation, is discussed & some of the dimensions of economic performance that help locate countries in the new economic orbits they have followed since 1989 are explored. While some countries (especially Hungary, Estonia, & Slovenia) could easily be quickly "mapped" into an enlarged EU, we concur with the widely held view that the politics of the enlargement process clearly dominates the economics. Finally, some comments are offered on the EU accession process, highlighting well-known barriers to enlargement, & pointing to some new dangers & hopes for the future. 4 Tables, 12 References. Adapted from the source document.