The Path of Hungary's EU Membership

This book examines the impact of European Union membership in Hungary over the past two decades. It explores how successive Hungarian governments have either leveraged or failed to capitalize on the opportunities provided by the EU framework. Through a detailed analysis of various policy areas—including monetary and fiscal policy, regional policy, industrial policy, social policy and agricultural policy—the volume evaluates how EU regulatory influences have intersected with domestic policies to shape Hungary's development trajectory.

The book explores the tension between the increasingly sovereigntist rhetoric and economic nationalism of post-2010 Hungarian governments and the country's growing reliance on foreign investment and external credit. It also delves into public perceptions of the EU's impact in Hungary, as well as domestic attitudes and expectations regarding the EU’s influence. The findings highlight both the boundaries of EU influence and the constraints of domestic political and economic agency in a small, open economy grappling with the challenges of dependent development. This book will appeal to students, researchers, and policymakers in the fields of political economy, European studies, and public policy.