Book review: The European polis by George Schöpflin

Abstract

George Schöpflin’s latest monograph provides a unique understanding of the politics of contemporary Europe in  two ‘interconnected essays’. The first part focuses on a  comprehensive interpretation of the EU’s political  community, the European polis. The author argues that  political innovation has slowed considerably in the last  decade, particularly after the Lisbon Treaty entered into  force and the EU was gradually transformed into a punitive  polis. The second part of the book focuses on the  relationship between Central Europe and the European  Union. Central Europe is European, but differently  European. The shortcomings of the Eastern enlargement,  Central Europe’s misadventure in the European Union and  the unseen and unintended consequences of the 2004–2007–2011 enlargement waves all contributed to the  development of a troubled relationship between the EU and  its new members. The volume combines both  theoretical and practical aspects, making it a relevant  contribution to European Studies literature.