East-West Divide in the European Union: Legacy or Developmental Failure?

Romanian Journal of European Affairs, vol. 21, no. 1, June 2021

26 Pages Posted: 21 Feb 2022

See all articles by Clara Volintiru

Clara Volintiru

London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE)

Alina Bârgăoanu

National School for Political and Administrative Studies

George Stefan

Department of Economics and Economic Policies

Flavia Durach

National University of Political Studies and Public Administration (NSPSPA)

Date Written: June 2021

Abstract

EU goes through a realignment process in the context of the demise of multilateralism, yet the impact of this process on the 11 new Member States from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is rarely discussed. There is a persistent East-West divide in the EU that is mainly socio-economic, even though often narrated as a political divide between older and newer Member States. The article explores in depth the current developmental metrics in CEE and argues that the progress that has been achieved in overall levels of convergence in the EU is yet to be reflected at subnational level, where great disparities persist. It is the developmental divide that continues to inform political divisions in Europe.

Keywords: Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), East-West divide, socio-economic disparities, European Union

Suggested Citation

Volintiru, Clara and Bârgăoanu, Alina and Stefan, George and Durach, Flavia, East-West Divide in the European Union: Legacy or Developmental Failure? (June 2021). Romanian Journal of European Affairs, vol. 21, no. 1, June 2021, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3991847

Clara Volintiru (Contact Author)

London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) ( email )

London

Alina Bârgăoanu

National School for Political and Administrative Studies ( email )

Romania

George Stefan

Department of Economics and Economic Policies ( email )

Tache Ionescu street, no. 11, sector 1
Bucharest
Romania

Flavia Durach

National University of Political Studies and Public Administration (NSPSPA) ( email )

6 Povernei Street
Bucharest, 010643
Romania

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