In May 2004, eight former Eastern Bloc countries joined the European Union: the three Baltic republics, Poland, Hungary, the Czech and Slovak republics, and Slovenia. What is involved in "accession"? How have accession dynamics affected and been affected by the domestic politics of candidate countries and their adoption of EU rules?

In this carefully designed volume of original essays, the editors have brought together a group of scholars with firsthand research experience in the new member-states of Central and Eastern Europe. Framed by opening and concluding chapters by Frank Schimmelfennig and Ulrich Sedelmeier that outline several aspects of preparation for accession, the empirical case studies discuss a variety of topics, including democracy and human rights, the reform of state administrations and economic, social, and environmental policies. This book demonstrates the importance of the credibility and the costs of accession conditionality for the adoption of EU rules in Central and Eastern Europe.

Contributors: Liliana B. Andonova, Colby College; Antoaneta L. Dimitrova, Leiden University; Stefan Engert, Darmstadt University of Technology; Rachel Epstein, University of Denver; Heather Grabbe, Centre for European Reform and Oxford University; Adrienne Héritier, European University Institute; Wade Jacoby, Brigham Young University; Heiko Knobel, Darmstadt University of Technology; Frank Schimmelfennig, Mannheim Center for European Social Research; Guido Schwellnus, Queen's University of Belfast; Ulrich Sedelmeier, Central European University; Beate Sissenich, Indiana University