The Historical Experience of Federalism in East Central Europe
The Historical Experience of Federalism in East Central Europe

Summary/Abstract: The prospective admission of the formerly communist countries of East Central Europe to the European Union (EU) has cast a critical light on the historical experience of the peoples of the area with federalism. How well has that experience prepared them for membership in the twentieth century's most successful confederation and the likely centerpiece of the emerging post-cold-war international order on the Continent? In particular, how has the fate and impact of federalist ideas and institutions in the region influenced the candidates' readiness to participate in an interstate structure requiring a substantial surrender of sovereignty? And how has their historical experience shaped their aptitude at the kind of international cooperation that is indispensable to keep the EU functioning? [...]

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