European Integration – Democracy Promotion by the EU in Eastern Europe
Streszczenie
There have been a few historical turning points in modern European
history. The turning points of 1648, 1815, 1919 and 1945 had great impact
on the developments of Europe. The last turning point of 1991 is not an
exception to such record. The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the
liberalization and transition of the former Eastern Europe changed the balance
of power and the European landscape. This article stresses the new role of
the EU as a norm-provider in determining the future outlook of Europe.
Such a new role led to the big bang enlargement in May 2004, which
indicated that the Cold War was sent to the historical dustbin. It also shed
light on the new role of the EU as the most important hegemonic actor in
European politics.