The effect of European integration on economic redistribution in Central and Eastern Europe
DOI
10.1177/146511652312109
Abstract
We examine the effects of European integration on economic redistribution in Central and Eastern Europe. While accession to the European Union provided new economic opportunities, it also imposed considerable constraints. Using cross-sectional time-series analysis of 11 post-communist countries between 2004 and 2018, we focus on the impact of trade flows, cohesion policy funds, emigration, remittances, and Economic and Monetary Union membership. We find that emigration and commercial reorientation toward the European Union are associated with greater efforts to alleviate income inequality. In contrast, the adoption of the euro induces lower redistribution. Finally, the receipt of European Union cohesion funds does not affect income differentials. To our knowledge, this is one of the first systematic analyses of how the European Union shapes inequality dynamics in Central and Eastern Europe.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-7-2023
Publisher Statement
© The Author(s) 2023.
Recommended Citation
Petrova, B., & Sznajder Lee, A. (2024). The effect of European integration on economic redistribution in Central and Eastern Europe. European Union Politics, 25(1), 17-41. https://doi.org/10.1177/14651165231210943