Scrutinizing European Cohesion: Prospects for European Flexibility, and of Hedging in Central Eastern Europe

This article looks at Central Eastern Europe's socioeconomic success with integration into the EU since accession. Findings reveal a major challenge in being able to substantiate "convergence" with the EU claim of being "united in diversity." Instead, a divergence between Europe's core in the west and periphery in the east seems more the reality, culturally and developmentally. The work discusses whether the subregion's benefits from having joined the EU outweigh its costs, the cohesiveness of the union, and coalitions that are currently taking shape. Finally, an alternative to the current path is discussed, suggesting that a more cohesive subregion would be in the better interest of Europe as a whole.