Front cover image for Regional and international relations of Central Europe

Regional and international relations of Central Europe

This timely book appears after a decade of scant scholarly focus on Central Europe and its place in Europe and the world. Following the big themes of the 1990s (the EU and NATO enlargement), the recent political and economic developments such as the revival of the 'Visegrad Four' and the emerging tensions as a consequence of nationalist movements across Europe, this book addresses important and provocative issues surrounding Central Europe. Is Central Europe a region and does it have its own history? Are there more commonalities than dividing lines among Central European countries? Can Central Europe be a player in global politics? Is there a special role for Central Europe in Europe? These questions have brought together a group of experts whose interdisciplinary analysis with empirical research offers a fresh insight into Central Europe's position today
eBook, English, 2012
Palgrave Macmillan, [Basingstoke], 2012
1 online resource
9781137283450, 9781283737920, 1137283459, 1283737922
815767933
Print version:
PART I: INTRODUCTION TO 'CENTRAL EUROPE'; Z.⁽abic & P. Drul̀k
About the Name
Geostrategic Importance
Constructing of the Region the Central European Way
What is 'Central Europe' Today?
The Structure of the Book
In Summary
Endnotes
References
PART II: CENTRAL EUROPE AND IR THINKING: TRADITIONS AND DISCIPLINES; P. Drul̀k
Introduction
Ideas and Power in Central Europe
Traditions of International Political Thought
Masaryk: A Pragmatic Kantian
Dmowski: A Moderate Hobbesian
Hoda: A Federalist Lockean
Bib̤: A Progressive Lockean
Kardelj: A Communist Kantian
Contradictions of the IR Disciplines
Conclusions
References
PART III: THE QUEST FOR CENTRAL EUROPE: SYMBOLIC GEOGRAPHIES AND HISTORICAL REGIONS; C. Iordachi
Introduction
Symbolic Geographies and the Historical Regions of Europe
Defining Central Europe: In-between 'East' and 'West'
Central Europe as a Dissident Concept: The Revival of Discourses on Central Europe in the 1980s
'Nesting Orientalism:' Central Europe and the Balkans
Romanian Intellectuals as 'Late-comers' to the Central European Club
The Balkans: Central Europe's New 'Constitutive Other'?
Conclusion: The Concept of Central Europe : a Tool for Comparison
Endnotes
References
PART IV: IS CENTRAL EUROPE A REGION? A VIEW FROM OUTSIDE THE NEIGHBOURHOOD; T.J. Volgy, J.P. Rhamey & E. Fausett
Introduction
'Region-ness'
An Alternative Conceptualization: 'Neighbourhood-ness'
How do we Know if Central Europe is a Neighbourhood?
Recognition Through Institutional Signature
Substantial Economic Interactions
Substantial Political Interactions
Substantial Policy Preference Similarity
Which States are in the Neighbourhood?
Conclusion
Endnotes
References
PART V: AUSTRIA AND CENTRAL EUROPE; P. Luif
Introduction
Austria until the End of the Cold War
Austria After the Cold War
Political Relations with Central European Neighbours
Austria's Position in Europe
Attempts at Multilateral Co-operation
Problems in the Bilateral Relations with the Central European Neighbours
Attitudes Towards the Neighbouring Countries
Economic Relations with the Central European Neighbours
Conclusion
Endnotes
References
PART VI: GERMANY AND CENTRAL EUROPE 2011: A DIFFERENTIATED DYNAMIC INSTEAD OF MITTELEUROPA; V. Handl
Introduction
Living with Asymmetry and Differentiation
A New Institutional Basis of Bilateral and Regional Relations
Historization vs. Instrumentalization of the Past
The EU as the Core Agenda in German-CE Relations
The CE EU-Presidencies
The Security and Defence Policy and the U.S./Russian Dichotomy
Conclusions
Endnotes
References
PART VII: RUSSIA AT THE BORDERS OF CENTRAL EUROPE: CHANGING DYNAMICS IN FOREIGN POLICY RELATIONS; M.R. Freire
Introduction
Russian Federation Foreign Policy: Multi-vectoral and Pragmatic
The Russian Federation's Relations with Central Europe
Political and Institutional Developments: Socialization Versus Resistance
Security and Defence Realignments: Building Fences or Fostering Co-operative Approaches?
Changing Dynamics in the Russian Federation's Relations with Central Europe: Energy Politics at Centre Stage
Bilateral Relations
The Russian Federation, Poland and the Czech Republic: Fostering Good Neighbourly Relations
Poland
The Czech Republic
The Russian Federation's Views on Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia: Pragmatic Interdependence
Conclusion
Endnotes
References
PART VIII: THE UNITED STATES AND CENTRAL EUROPE: PRINCIPLES AND PRAGMATISM IN THE EVOLVING PARTNERSHIP; T.J. Resler
Introduction
What's in a Name?
How Central is Central Europe?
Democratic Peace
More Democratic Peace
A 'New' Policy?
Hopes Dashed?
Conclusion
Endnotes
References
PART IX: SECURITY AND SECURITIZATION IN CENTRAL EUROPE; V. Stretcky
Introduction
Atlanticism in Central Europe
Atlanticist Manifestations
Consensus
Engagement
Motivation
Energy Security in Central Europe
Threat Perception in Central Europe
Conclusion
Endnotes
References
PART X: ETHNIC DIVERSITY MANAGEMENT IN CENTRAL EUROPE; P. Roter
Introduction
National Minorities as a Transnational Issue in Central Europe
International Legal-institutional Framework for Diversity Management
Minority Protection after World War I: To 'Civilise' Central and Eastern Europe
Post-Cold War Minority Protection: Universal Minority Rights to Prevent Conflicts in Central and Eastern Europe
Some Practical Effects of New Minority Standards in Central Europe
Conclusion
Endnotes
References
PART XI: THE VISEGRAD GROUP ON THE THRESHOLD OF ITS THIRD DECADE: A CENTRAL EUROPEAN HUB?; M. Koran
Introduction
Points of Departure
The Long Journey from 'Four' to a 'Group'
Historical Context and Points of Departure
Political Determination and Support
Flexibility and the 'Art of Disagreeing'
Quasi-Institutionalization and Inner Co-operation
The Substance of the Co-operation and Strategic Goals
Focusing, Prioritizing and Extending
Self-Confidence and a Broader Responsibility
The Visegrad Group as 'Central Europe'?
V4 and the region
Conclusion
Endnotes
References
PART XII: EUROPEANIZATION OF FOREIGN POLICY: WHITHER CENTRAL EUROPE?; J.B̀tora
Introduction
Europeanization of Foreign Policy: A Learning Perspective
Europeanization of Polish Foreign Policy: Rhetoric of National Interests and Reality of Continuous EU-harmonization
Europeanization of Czech Foreign Policy: From Harmonization with CFSP to a Quest for Czech National Interests
Europeanization of Slovak Foreign Policy: From CFSP Harmonization to Uncompromising Foreign Policy Standpoints
Europeanization of Hungarian Foreign Policy: A Nexus Between 'European Orientation' and Self-centeredness
Europeanization of Slovenian Foreign Policy: Steady CFSP-harmonization and No Capacity for National Interests
Conclusion
Endnotes
References
PART XIII: POLITICAL ECONOMY OF CENTRAL EUROPE; A. Kuncic & J.⁽u₍ter₍ic
Introduction
Theoretical Framework
Institutions and Varieties of Capitalism
Trade and Foreign Direct Investment
Convergence of Institutions in Central Europe and Varieties of Capitalism
Trade and Foreign Direct Investment
Conclusions
Endnotes
References
PART XIV: CENTRAL EUROPE AND THE BALKANS: SO CLOSE AND YET SO FAR; Z.⁽abic & A. Freyberg-Inan
Introduction
Central Europe and the Balkans in the Literature
International Organizations and Multilateral Initiatives Shared Across the Regions: The International Institutional Context
The V-4, Slovenia, and the Balkans
The Balkans in the Foreign Policy Agendas of Central European States
Economic Interconnections
Conclusion
Endnotes
References
PART XV: CENTRAL EUROPE FACING 'EASTERN EUROPE': SYMPHONY OR CACOPHONY?; S. Ananicz & R. Sadowski
Introduction
CE States' Approaches towards Eastern Europe
Poland
Hungary
Slovakia
The Czech Republic
Slovenia
Central Europe as a Group
Shaping the EU's Eastern Policy
Divergent Approaches to Eastern Europe
Conclusions
Endnotes
References
PART XVI: CONCLUSIONS: INSTITUTIONS, GEOGRAPHY AND UNCERTAINTY; P. Drul̀k & Z.⁽abic
English