Open AccessBook review: The European polis by George Schöpflin
Author(s) -
Boglárka Koller
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
pro publico bono - magyar közigazgatás/pro publico bono – magyar közigazgatás
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2786-0760
pISSN - 2063-9058
DOI - 10.32575/ppb.2021.4.5
Subject(s) - resizing , european union , politics , george (robot) , political science , interpretation (philosophy) , treaty , political economy , european integration , european studies , economic history , law , history , sociology , international trade , philosophy , economics , art history , linguistics
George Schöpflin’s latest monograph provides a unique understanding of the politics of contemporary Europe in two ‘interconnected essays’. The first part focuses on a comprehensive interpretation of the EU’s political community, the European polis. The author argues that political innovation has slowed considerably in the last decade, particularly after the Lisbon Treaty entered into force and the EU was gradually transformed into a punitive polis. The second part of the book focuses on the relationship between Central Europe and the European Union. Central Europe is European, but differently European. The shortcomings of the Eastern enlargement, Central Europe’s misadventure in the European Union and the unseen and unintended consequences of the 2004–2007–2011 enlargement waves all contributed to the development of a troubled relationship between the EU and its new members. The volume combines both theoretical and practical aspects, making it a relevant contribution to European Studies literature.