Growing Euroscepticism has initiated new dynamics in the process of European integration. On the one hand the questions of its legitimization and the nature of its main drivers began to appear, and on the other a new discourse on the possible European disintegration has started. This situation has put V4 countries in a new political position, as they are facing the threat of decreased economic welfare due to numerous political and legal processes taking place within the EU as well as the shifts in the institutional distribution of power, which might weaken the position of the countries reluctant to pursue the integration even deeper. Also, recent political events have called the Visegrad Group format into question as the interests and priorities of the members began to diverge. The conflict in Ukraine has changed the general context of the abovementioned tendencies, but not its essence.
However, despite the running disputes, the V4 indeed seem to share common economic and geopolitical interests which may serve as a ground for cooperation increasing their political power within the EU. The future of V4 countries is here at stake, as leaving the EU does not seem a sensible alternative. The change of policy framework is a long-term process and requires an effort of reinventing the perception of the problem as well as persuading the policy idea to the policy makers, policy advisors and the general public.
A thorough discussion on these issues is urgently needed, exploring their various meanings, what it may include, what structural arrangements are economically feasible, possible governance structures as well as the likely robustness of various arrangements in the dynamic globalized economy and rapidly
changing political environment of the 21st century. And last but not least, what political arrangements are compatible with the different models of economic and political cooperation among V4 countries and rest of EU. Both empirical and political economy oriented papers are welcomed.
These issues will be addressed at the Visegrad Strategic Grant conference of the Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic on October 13 – 14 2022. The conference will be organized as a part of the grant financed by International Visegrad Fund. Especially (but not exclusively) the following issues will be discussed:
- 1) Euroscepticism in V4 countries: roots, commonalities, national features
- 2) Is there a future for the V4 without the euro currency and deeper integration?
- 3) Transformation to the Industry 4.0 as a common challenge for the V4 move from low addedvalue to high added value league production
- 4) From post-communist success story to the “toxic four” image in international relations
- 5) Viable formats of regional cooperation: V4 and beyond
- 6) Russian attack against Ukraine as a game-changer for the V4?
The Format of the Conference:
The language of the conference is English. All submissions will be reviewed by independent experts in their fields. Selected papers will be presented in separate sessions organized and based on topics of papers received from authors and conference participants. Each presentation will be discussed.
The conference will take place on the premises of the Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic. There is no registration fee for the conference. Participants have to cover cost of traveling and accommodation to/in Brno, Czech Republic.
Important dates:
Deadline for submitting abstracts (350 – 500 words) Notice of Acceptance
Submission of the full paper
Contacts (for information and submitting abstracts):
In Czech Republic: lacina@mendelu.cz
In Poland: slawomir.czech@ue.katowice.pl
In Hungary: kutasi.gabor@uni-nke.hu
In Slovakia: martin.gress@gmail.com
Rest of the EU: lacina@mendelu.cz
Rest of the world: rusek@susqu.edu
