Regional and international relations of Central Europe

This timely book appears after a decade of scant scholarly focus on Central Europe and its place in Europe and the world. Following the big themes of the 1990s (the EU and NATO enlargement), the recent political and economic developments such as the revival of the 'Visegrad Four' and the emerging tensions as aconsequence of nationalist movements across Europe, this book addresses important and provocative issues surrounding Central Europe. Is Central Europe a region and does it have its own history? Are there more commonalities than dividing lines among Central European countries? Can Central Europe be a player in global politics? Is there a special role for Central Europe in - Europe? Thesequestions have brought together a group of experts whose interdisciplinary analysis with empirical research offers a fresh insight into Central Europe's position today. INDICE: PART I: INTRODUCTION TO 'CENTRAL EUROPE';Z.Å abič.&. P.DrulÃík.About the Name.Geostrategic Importance.Constructing of the Region the Central European Way.What is 'Central Europe' Today?.The Structure of the Book.In Summary.Endnotes.References.PART II: CENTRAL EUROPE AND IR THINKING: TRADITIONS AND DISCIPLINES; P.DrulÃík.Introduction.Ideas and Power in Central Europe.Traditions of International Political Thought.Masaryk:A Pragmatic Kantian.Dmowski:A Moderate Hobbesian.Hodža:A Federalist Lockean.Bibó:A Progressive Lockean.Kardelj:A Communist Kantian.Contradictions of the IR Disciplines.Conclusions.References.PART III: THE QUEST FOR CENTRAL EUROPE: SYMBOLIC GEOGRAPHIES AND HISTORICAL REGIONS; C.Iordachi.Introduction.Symbolic Geographies and the Historical Regions of Europe.Defining Central Europe: In-between 'East' and 'West'.Central Europe as a Dissident Concept: The Revival of Discourses on Central Europe in the 1980s.'Nesting Orientalism:' Central Europe and the Balkans. Romanian Intellectuals as 'Late-comers' to the Central European Club.The Balkans: Central Europe's New 'Constitutive Other'?. Conclusion: The Concept of Central Europe -a Tool for Comparison. Endnotes.References.PART IV: IS CENTRAL EUROPE A REGION? A VIEW FROM OUTSIDE THE NEIGHBOURHOOD; T.J.Volgy, J.P.Rhamey.&. E.Fausett.Introduction. 'Region-ness'.An Alternative Conceptualization: 'Neighbourhood-ness'.How do we Know if Central Europe is a Neighbourhood?.Recognition Through Institutional Signature.Substantial Economic Interactions.Substantial PoliticalInteractions.Substantial Policy Preference Similarity.Which States are in theNeighbourhood?.Conclusion.Endnotes.References.PART V: AUSTRIA AND CENTRAL EUROPE; P.Luif.Introduction.Austria until the End of the Cold War.Austria After the Cold War.Political Relations with Central European Neighbours.Austria's Position in Europe.Attempts at Multilateral Co-operation.Problems in the Bilateral Relations with the Central European Neighbours.Attitudes Towards the Neighbouring Countries.Economic Relations with the Central European Neighbours.Conclusion.Endnotes.References.PART VI: GERMANY AND CENTRAL EUROPE 2011: A DIFFERENTIATED DYNAMIC INSTEAD OF MITTELEUROPA; V.Handl.Introduction.Living with Asymmetry and Differentiation. A New Institutional Basis of Bilateral and Regional Relations.Historization vs. Instrumentalization of the Past.The EU as the Core Agenda in German-CE Relations. The CE EU-Presidencies.The Security and DefencePolicy and the U.S./Russian Dichotomy.Conclusions.Endnotes.References.PART VII: RUSSIA AT THE BORDERS OF CENTRAL EUROPE: CHANGING DYNAMICS IN FOREIGN POLICY RELATIONS; M.R.Freire.Introduction. Russian Federation Foreign Policy: Multi-vectoral and Pragmatic.The Russian Federation's Relations with Central Europe.Political and Institutional Developments: Socialization Versus Resistance.Security and Defence Realignments: Building Fences or Fostering Co-operative Approaches?.Changing Dynamics in the Russian Federation's Relations with Central Europe: Energy Politics at Centre Stage.Bilateral Relations.The Russian Federation, Poland and the Czech Republic: Fostering Good Neighbourly Relations.Poland.The Czech Republic.The Russian Federation's Views on Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia: Pragmatic Interdependence. Conclusion.Endnotes.References. PART VIII:THE UNITED STATES AND CENTRAL EUROPE: PRINCIPLES AND PRAGMATISM IN THE EVOLVING PARTNERSHIP; T.J.Resler.Introduction.What's in a Name?.How Central is Central Europe?.Democratic Peace.More Democratic Peace.A 'New' Policy?.Hopes Dashed?.Conclusion.Endnotes.References.PART IX: SECURITY AND SECURITIZATION IN CENTRAL EUROPE; V.StÅ™Ítecký.Introduction.Atlanticism in Central Europe.Atlanticist Manifestations.Consensus.Engagement.Motivation.Energy Security in Central Europe.Threat Perception in Central Europe.Conclusion.Endnotes.References.PART X: ETHNIC DIVERSITY MANAGEMENT IN CENTRAL EUROPE; P.Roter.Introduction.NationalMinorities as a Transnational Issue in Central Europe. International Legal-institutional Framework for Diversity Management. Minority Protection after World War I: To 'Civilise' Central and Eastern Europe.Post-Cold War Minority Protection: Universal Minority Rights to Prevent Conflicts in Central and Eastern Europe.Some Practical Effects of New Minority Standards in Central Europe.Conclusion. Endnotes.References.PART XI: THE VISEGRAD GROUP ON THE THRESHOLD OF ITSTHIRD DECADE: A CENTRAL EUROPEAN HUB?; M.KoÅ™an.Introduction.Points of Departure.The Long Journey from 'Four' to a 'Group'.Historical Context and Points ofDeparture.Political Determination and Support.Flexibility and the 'Art of Disagreeing'.Quasi-Institutionalization and Inner Co-operation.The Substance of the Co-operation and Strategic Goals.Focusing, Prioritizing and Extending.Self-Confidence and a Broader Responsibility.The Visegrad Group as 'Central Europe'?.V4 and the region.Conclusion.Endnotes.References.PART XII: EUROPEANIZATION OF FOREIGN POLICY: WHITHER CENTRAL EUROPE?; J.BÃítora.Introduction.Europeanization of Foreign Policy: A Learning Perspective.Europeanization of Polish Foreign Policy: Rhetoric of National Interests and Reality of Continuous EU-harmonization. Europeanization of Czech Foreign Policy: From Harmonization with CFSP to a Quest for Czech National Interests.Europeanization of Slovak Foreign Policy: From CFSP Harmonization to Uncompromising Foreign Policy Standpoints.Europeanization of Hungarian Foreign Policy: A Nexus Between 'European Orientation' and Self-centeredness. Europeanization of Slovenian Foreign Policy: Steady CFSP-harmonization and No Capacity for National Interests.Conclusion.Endnotes.References.PART XIII: POLITICAL ECONOMY OF CENTRAL EUROPE; A.Kunčič.&. J.Å uÅíterÅíič.Introduction.Theoretical Framework.Institutions and Varieties of Capitalism.Trade and Foreign Direct Investment.Convergence of Institutions in Central Europe and Varieties of Capitalism.Trade and Foreign Direct Investment.Conclusions.Endnotes.References.PART XIV: CENTRAL EUROPE AND THE BALKANS: SO CLOSEAND YET SO FAR; Z.Å abič.&. A.Freyberg-Inan.Introduction.Central Europe and the Balkans in the Literature.International Organizations and Multilateral Initiatives Shared Across the Regions: The International Institutional Context.The V-4, Slovenia, and the Balkans.The Balkans in the Foreign Policy Agendas of Central European States.Economic Interconnections.Conclusion.Endnotes.References.PART XV: CENTRAL EUROPE FACING 'EASTERN EUROPE': SYMPHONY OR CACOPHONY?; S.Ananicz.&. R.Sadowski.Introduction.CE States' Approaches towards Eastern Europe.Poland.Hungary.Slovakia.The Czech Republic.Slovenia.Central Europe as a Group.Shaping the EU's Eastern Policy.Divergent Approaches to Eastern Europe.Conclusions.Endnotes.References.PART XVI: CONCLUSIONS: INSTITUTIONS, GEOGRAPHY AND UNCERTAINTY; P.DrulÃík.&. Z.Å abič.Endnotes.References.

• ISBN: 978-0-230-36067-9
• Editorial: Palgrave Macmillan
• Encuadernacion: Cartoné
• Páginas: 344
• Fecha Publicación: 21/09/2012
• Nº Volúmenes: 1
• Idioma: Desconocido