Abstract: The political developments in Eastern Central Europe (ECE) question the political achievements connected to Europeanisation. This paper outlines the reasons for the growing populism and nationalism of ECE political elites. The author argues that political elite behaviour is one of the main causes of populist and nationalist developments. ECE political elites have internalised a “negative political culture” including unethical behaviour and an egoistic struggle for political power contradicting the principles of liberal democracy. Within a democratic framework, elites prefer populist and polarising power strategies and do not care that these undermine democratic national institutions. The article examines why political elites have turned away from the positive Europeanisation that culminated in EU accession. While political elites cooperated readily to become part of the European Union, they now increasingly oppose further political integration and tend to nationalise and polarise political issues, thus turning to a “negative Europeanisation” of their countries.

Introduction

The transformation of state and society in Eastern Central Europe (ECE) – Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia – toward democracy and Europeanisation seems to be a success story. These countries have overcome state socialism by founding pluralistic regimes, restructuring their economies and integrating into European structures.