The limits of Europe : lessons from post-communist experience for the post-Brexit union

Fifteen years ago it counted as received wisdom that accession to the European Union implies arrival to a safe haven concluding the ups and downs of post-communist transformation. Quantitative assessment (Papi et al. in JAMA 60(2): 271-290, 2018) indicates a considerable degree of convergence, especially in Central European countries and much less in Southeast Europe and the NIS. Despite improved performance, in Hungary, Poland, and the Czech Republic Euro-skepticism has been elevated to the level of governmental policies for a decade by now. We ask why and scrutinize a single case: that of the former frontrunner of transition, Hungary. We offer four plus one theses for reflection on the relevance of economics versus politics in shaping outcomes, in a broader comparative perspective.