Is this the Future of Europe? Opportunities and Risks for Poland in a Union of Insiders and Outsiders
Is this the Future of Europe? Opportunities and Risks for Poland in a Union of Insiders and Outsiders
Contributor(s): Roderick Parkes (Editor), Brien Barnett (Editor), Dorota Dołęgowska (Editor)
Subject(s): Supranational / Global Economy, Economic policy, Government/Political systems, International relations/trade, Economic development, EU-Accession / EU-DEvelopment, EU-Legislation, Geopolitics
Published by: PISM Polski Instytut Spraw Międzynarodowych
Keywords: European Union; future of Europe; Poland; Member States; Eurozone; EU integration; EU accession treaty; common currency; globalization; economic policy;
Summary/Abstract: More than any other Member State, Poland feels the dangers of the separation of the EU into insiders and outsiders. The country’s economic, political and security standing is bound up with its further integration into a strong European Union, but the intrusive reforms being carried out to restore the Eurozone risk excluding not just it and other non-euro members but the arc of states to its east. Poland has thus fallen victim to 2004’s “incomplete enlargement” of the bloc. So far, Poland has enjoyed sympathy and support from euro members such as Germany, and as a “pre-in” to the currency has been entitled to co-define the development of Eurozone governance. However, its EU partners appear increasingly intolerant of its demands for inclusion. When it ratified its EU accession treaty, they argue, Poland undertook to join the common currency. If it wants to ensure that it is included in decision-making, Warsaw simply needs to re-commit with a firm roadmap.
Series: PISM Reports
- E-ISBN-13: 978-83-62453-74-0
- Page Count: 74
- Publication Year: 2014
- Language: English
Poland: The (Success) Story So Far
Poland: The (Success) Story So Far
(Poland: The (Success) Story So Far)
- Author(s):Anita Sobják
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Supranational / Global Economy, Economic policy, Government/Political systems, International relations/trade, Economic development, Geopolitics
- Page Range:7-10
- No. of Pages:4
- Keywords:Poland; European Union; Poland’s progress in EU; Polish government; foreign policy; economic structure;
- Summary/Abstract:In the midst of a whole series of accelerated changes in and to the EU, Poland’s role in the Union has undergone a spectacular evolution. For anyone who had not earlier noticed this process, last year’s crisis-dominated European debates certainly made it clear. As only a narrow circle of Member States seem to be setting the pattern and rhythm for shaping the future track of the EU, Poland has so far been able to keep up with them. Yet with the change of both the domestic and European setups, Poland needs to rethink its strategy to maintain its European profile. For this, a number of questions need to be clarified: what are the roots of Poland’s recent advancements? What is the Polish vision of the future Europe and where does it see itself in it? What are the potential obstacles standing in Poland’s way of reaching its objectives? What are the stances of other Member States towards the Polish project?
Poland and the European Union—Three Ideas of the Future
Poland and the European Union—Three Ideas of the Future
(Poland and the European Union—Three Ideas of the Future)
- Author(s):Roderick Parkes
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Government/Political systems, International relations/trade, EU-Accession / EU-DEvelopment, Geopolitics
- Page Range:11-14
- No. of Pages:4
- Keywords:Poland; European Union; EU’s eastern enlargement; EU integration; Eurozone; Euro-skepticism;
- Summary/Abstract:As the previous chapter shows, the EU’s eastern enlargement was famously incomplete. At the point of accession, the 10 newcomers remained outside core facets of cooperation, not because of UK-style opt-outs and hard-won derogations, but because they were deemed unready for full membership. The last decade was a period when “differentiated integration” was still perceived as an inclusive format, permitting an avant-garde of states to press ahead in an area of policy whilst leaving the door open to more hesitant or less advanced members to join later. The result, as we now know, was the reverse—a series of projects based on shaky foundations that have subsequently been shored up to the exclusion of others. Rather than a decade of consolidation, which many expected after 2004, the last decade has seen a massive but uneven leap in European integration.
Energy: Can Greening Be Reconciled with Blacking?
Energy: Can Greening Be Reconciled with Blacking?
(Energy: Can Greening Be Reconciled with Blacking?)
- Author(s):Lidia Puka
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Supranational / Global Economy, Energy and Environmental Studies, Governance, Environmental and Energy policy, Economic development
- Page Range:17-20
- No. of Pages:4
- Keywords:European Union; energy policy; energy security; gas supplies; climate policy; EU greenhouse gas emissions; greening;
- Summary/Abstract:The EU’s new Member States have taken an active stance towards European energy-security mechanisms, such as the Regulation on the Security of Gas Supplies. On the overriding question of climate policy, however, they have often been reactive. In the opinion of many European environmentalists, Poland in 2012 “defied” European climate policy. It opposed the introduction of a binding obligation to raise the benchmark for average EU greenhouse gas emissions from 20% in 2020, to 30% by 2030 (as compared to the 1990 levels). And it refused to give political significance to the European Commission’s Communication “Energy Roadmap 2050,” which presented five strategies towards the low-carbon transition of European economies. This was viewed as indicative of Poland’s, and the new Members’, role as laggards. In reality, however, Poland’s actions were indicative of a broader split on the EU’s emerging energy policy.
EMU and Economic Policy: Prospects for an Inclusive Recovery?
EMU and Economic Policy: Prospects for an Inclusive Recovery?
(EMU and Economic Policy: Prospects for an Inclusive Recovery?)
- Author(s):Paweł Tokarski
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Supranational / Global Economy, Governance, Economic policy, Economic development, EU-Accession / EU-DEvelopment, Fiscal Politics / Budgeting
- Page Range:21-24
- No. of Pages:4
- Keywords:European Union; Economic and Monetary Union; economic policy; Eurozone; debt crisis; economic growth; economic development;
- Summary/Abstract:Despite the current considerable relief in the development of the Eurozone sovereign debt crisis, predicting the EU’s economic future can be a risky venture. Media continue ruthlessly to give new doses of pessimistic information: potential future bailouts, weakening economic conditions, toppling governments, and the growing risk of social unrest. Therefore, any attempt to define more precisely what happens in a week, month or a year, especially in economic terms, carries a high risk of negative verification or at least randomness of judgment. However, some long-term processes do support the attempt to sketch out the upcoming economic challenges for the EU in the next several decades. These challenges can be described in two blocks. First, the consequences of the sovereign debt crisis for the EMU’s architecture, and second, the question of growth and competitiveness.
Political Union: Can the Euro-outs Rely on the Community Institutions?
Political Union: Can the Euro-outs Rely on the Community Institutions?
(Political Union: Can the Euro-outs Rely on the Community Institutions?)
- Author(s):Agata Gostyńska
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Supranational / Global Economy, Economic policy, Government/Political systems, International relations/trade, Economic development, EU-Accession / EU-DEvelopment, Fiscal Politics / Budgeting
- Page Range:25-31
- No. of Pages:7
- Keywords:European Union; political union; economic policy; budgetary policy; Eurozone; government; debt crisis;
- Summary/Abstract:The debate about a political union, on standby mode since the fiasco of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe, has been reinvigorated by EU actions to fight the sovereign-debt crisis. The recent shift in the division of competences strictly reserved for national parliamentary oversight and concerning sensitive matters of budgetary policy meant the question would not remain untouched, especially given, first, the insufficient democratic legitimacy and accountability of the Eurozone decision-making process, second, insufficient political leadership to take the EU out of crisis, and third, a lack of political consensus on measures to tackle the crisis, reinforcing the tendency to opt for integration at different speeds.
Financing: Who Pays for the Catch-up States?
Financing: Who Pays for the Catch-up States?
(Financing: Who Pays for the Catch-up States?)
- Author(s):Patryk Toporowski
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Supranational / Global Economy, Governance, Economic policy, International relations/trade, Economic development, EU-Accession / EU-DEvelopment, Fiscal Politics / Budgeting
- Page Range:35-40
- No. of Pages:6
- Keywords:European Union; community financing; system of financing; EU budget; financial crisis; economic development;
- Summary/Abstract:Without Community financing it is difficult to imagine how the EU would function. Money legitimises the decisions made at the EU level, meaning that a focus on the current system of financing and its likely development is key to the question of EU-wide cohesion. The picture, however, is becoming increasingly blurred with the weakening of democratic control of the process: the EU budget—controlled by Parliament, and fiercely negotiated by the Member States—has been relegated to the status of just one of the sources that finance EU activities such as substitutes for the Eurozone budget, other funds, and money under the control of the ECB, EBI and others. It is difficult to say whether such a complex system will help the EU meet challenges such as increasing competitiveness, emerging from the financial crisis and hastening long-term economic growth. A more suitable solution lies in a system transparent to the decision-makers in all Member States and to their citizens, which may react to unpredicted events.
Neighbourhood Policy: “Let Economics Do the Job”
Neighbourhood Policy: “Let Economics Do the Job”
(Neighbourhood Policy: “Let Economics Do the Job”)
- Author(s):Elżbieta Kaca
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Supranational / Global Economy, Governance, International relations/trade, Economic development, Migration Studies, EU-Accession / EU-DEvelopment, Geopolitics
- Page Range:41-45
- No. of Pages:5
- Keywords:neighbourhood policy; European Union; foreign policy; migration flow; EU diplomacy; integration of West Balkans;
- Summary/Abstract:As a foreign policy player, the EU has the clearest priorities in its direct neighbourhood: it must shield itself from numerous threats, such as irregular migration flows, conflict and energy insecurity. However, its political leverage over the region has weakened even as a new union diplomacy has been created. The reason lies in the fact that EU policy tools do not meet reality and changing trends. The European Neighbourhood Policy was created in 2004, a time when the EU was self-assured due to the successful accession of 10 new Member States and wanted to impose upon its neighbours its political vision by using strategies replicating enlargement. It is no longer the same story. Internally, the EU integration model is being rethought and is developing into multi-speed formats from which the 2004 members find themselves rather marginalised. No further accession commitments are likely to be undertaken by the Member States in the medium term beyond those already made to the West Balkans.
Enlargement Policy: Does Differentiated Integration Allow for Differentiated Enlargement?
Enlargement Policy: Does Differentiated Integration Allow for Differentiated Enlargement?
(Enlargement Policy: Does Differentiated Integration Allow for Differentiated Enlargement?)
- Author(s):Pinar Elman
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Governance, Government/Political systems, International relations/trade, EU-Accession / EU-DEvelopment, Geopolitics
- Page Range:46-49
- No. of Pages:4
- Keywords:European Union; enlargement policy; differentiated enlargement; new member states;
- Summary/Abstract:Debates on the future architecture of the EU, and the onset proper of “differentiated integration,” tend to neglect the implications for enlargement policy. The issue has received little attention either in the European Union or candidate states, despite the fact that the internal EU reforms necessary to reassert the bloc’s attractiveness and power also risk creating new barriers to accession hopefuls. Yet the discussion on the future form of the European institutions and the different levels of integration may well provide a historic opportunity to overcome the EU’s enlargement crisis. If the EU grasps this chance to reform the enlargement process, it could not only strengthen stability, security and prosperity on the continent, it might reaffirm its influence on the world stage. In what follows, the contours of such a policy will be set out in order to pose the simple question: is this a step the EU is prepared to take?
Common Foreign and Security Policy: Can the Big Three Be Harnessed?
Common Foreign and Security Policy: Can the Big Three Be Harnessed?
(Common Foreign and Security Policy: Can the Big Three Be Harnessed?)
- Author(s):Dorota Liszczyk
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Economic policy, Government/Political systems, Security and defense, Military policy, EU-Accession / EU-DEvelopment
- Page Range:53-56
- No. of Pages:4
- Keywords:Common foreign policy; common security policy; European Union; national policies; military and defence;
- Summary/Abstract:It has never been the EU’s goal to create a fully-integrated foreign and security policy that could substitute in whole or in part for national foreign policies. Compared to other EU policies as well as domestic foreign and security policies, CFSP remains a phenomenon in itself. For years treated as an experiment, integration within the area of foreign and security policy was initially developed outside the European Community structures and still today CFSP remains a “common policy” in name only. The policy uniqueness results also from its distinctive financing system as the Treaty on the European Union excludes the possibility of using the EU budget to finance European operations with military or defence implications. Such expenses are to be borne by the Member States. Yet, the reason for developing CFSP is nevertheless strictly connected with the integration process in other areas of EU activity. This means that this area of cooperation directly benefits from the broader integration dynamic—especially the economic sphere—in which stronger integration raises expectations of a coherent foreign policy dimension.
Visegrad Four Cooperation: Sufficient Reason for Its Existence?
Visegrad Four Cooperation: Sufficient Reason for Its Existence?
(Visegrad Four Cooperation: Sufficient Reason for Its Existence?)
- Author(s):Dariusz Kałan
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Governance, Economic policy, International relations/trade, Economic development, Geopolitics
- Page Range:57-60
- No. of Pages:4
- Keywords:Visegrad region; Central Europe; European Union; geopolitics; international relations; regional cooperation;
- Summary/Abstract:When, almost 30 years ago, Timothy Garton Ash asked in the title of his famous essay “Does Central Europe exist?,” he only exposed the more general attitude of Western societies, for whom everything east of Germany was an indefinite blank spot on the map; the area ironically described by Czesław Miłosz as “Ubi leones land.” Today, however, Central Europe, after its great changes in 1989, 1999 and 2004, has been undoubtedly promoted to become a recognised part of the Western world, having its own strong political and cultural identity that seems to be more and more attractive for foreign observers. Having established that Central Europe actually exists, then, it is now necessary to ascertain what it actually is.
Public Opinion: Does Political Fragmentation Mean Popular Fragmentation?
Public Opinion: Does Political Fragmentation Mean Popular Fragmentation?
(Public Opinion: Does Political Fragmentation Mean Popular Fragmentation?)
- Author(s):Ryszarda Formuszewicz
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Government/Political systems, Politics and society, EU-Accession / EU-DEvelopment, Sociology of Politics, Geopolitics
- Page Range:61-65
- No. of Pages:5
- Keywords:Public opinion; European Union; EU integration process; Euro-skepticism; Eurobarometer reports;
- Summary/Abstract:Europe is facing a substantial downturn in social support for the European integration process. This worsening attitude towards the European project, combined with low trust in national policymakers, creates fertile ground for the rise of Eurosceptic and protest parties. According to the twice-yearly Eurobarometer surveys, trust has significantly diminished in European institutions, and the future of the European project seems uncertain to many Europeans. Furthermore, this downward trend in the EU’s image in European public opinion appears persistent and widespread, giving considerable cause for concern, as this distrust characterises the majority sentiment in 20 EU countries. An absolute majority of respondents in one recent Eurobarometer survey expressed distrust of the European Union in the EU15 countries, the euro area Member States, and also in the euro-outsiders category.
Poland: A Problem Shared?
Poland: A Problem Shared?
(Poland: A Problem Shared?)
- Author(s):Author Not Specified
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Supranational / Global Economy, Economic policy, Government/Political systems, International relations/trade, Economic development, EU-Accession / EU-DEvelopment, Fiscal Politics / Budgeting, Geopolitics
- Page Range:67-68
- No. of Pages:2
- Keywords:Poland; European Union; Eurozone debt crisis; national governments; economic policy; economic development;
- Summary/Abstract:Since the onset of the Eurozone debt-crisis, Poland’s approach to the EU has gone through at least three distinct shifts as it responds to the deepening of Eurozone integration and the changing locus of power within the bloc. The first of these saw Poland acting as the bloc’s equality supervisor, defending the principle of parity between governments, particularly as guaranteed by the supranational institutions. During its presidency of the Council in the second semester of 2011, it forged a successful partnership with the Commission and Parliament. Yet that effort ended with the British “veto” at the December summit and with the signature of the fiscal compact, a parallel legal architecture potentially excluding non-Euro members. For Poland, signing the compact meant still belonging, but to a different kind of EU.
