Post-communist Transition Through Deep Societal Reforms, or Technocratic Preparation for EU Membership: How Has the Latter Substituted the Former in CEE?

Abstract

After the collapse of the Communist regime, the CEECs had to undergo deep societal reforms, while simultaneously pursuing a new foreign policy agenda. The desire to join the EU became the heart of this political effort, as the membership criteria, at least on the surface, seemed to correspond to the aims of the transition. Subsequently, the CEE political elites substituted due structural reforms with membership preparatory work, and the EU accession - from an instrument for achieving sustainable long-term goals, it became an ultimate goal in itself. This brought about formal, partial and superficial reforms, rule of law deterioration and façade democracy.