Poland and the European Union

Book abstract:

Between 2004 and 2006 Poland should become a member of the European Union. This book analyses the key issues which confront Poland as it seeks to join the European venture. It is the first in a new series published by Routledge which focuses on the complex relationship between European integration and the nation-state, principally, in the context of the European Union and its Member States as well as those applicant states on the brink of membership.

The book brings together twelve essays written by Polish scholars which analyse the many contemporary challenges facing the Polish nation-state in its drive to join the European Union, with the underlying theme that of adjustment and adaptation. Following an introduction on the aims and objectives of the book which also provides a brief history of Poland in the twentieth century, the first two chapters analyse the attitudes of the government towards the European Union as well as the objectives of Polish policy-makers with regard to the EU. In chapter four the growth of civil society in Poland, changing notions of citizenship and the extent to which liberal democratic values have permeated Polish society is discussed. This is followed by an analysis of the nature of political competition in Poland, the way in which it differs from that in the EU Member States and the Polish party system in chapters five to seven. Chapters eight and nine investigate the reform of the organisation of government which has been necessary for the country to comply with the EU's acquis communautaire both in terms of central and sub-national government. The final two chapters of the book focus on the strategic geographical position of Poland and the nature of its bilateral relations with its two most important neighbours, Germany and the Ukraine.

Students of Polish politics as well as those interested in EU enlargement will find this book useful.

The editor, Karl Cordell, is principal lecturer in politics at the University of Plymouth.