The Role of Europeanisation in the Transformation of the Nation-State and Its Impact on the National Identities: Poland as Case Study

Europeanisation is a complex and a multi-dimensional concept that has been defined differently by academics. Most of the definitions are European Union centred and focus on the process of integration within the EU. This thesis will argue that Europeanisation should not be solely defined within the context of the EU, but from a wider perspective, which should include an Eastern view when defining Europeanisation. Therefore, this thesis advocates that there should be a clear line between the EU-isation and Europeanisation processes and that Europeanisation should be considered as a historical process rather than a contemporary process, which focuses on integration and interaction within the EU.

This thesis analyses Poland as the case study. Poland with its extraordinary history represents an excellent example for the study of the role of Europeanisation in the transformation of nation-states and national identities. Its struggle to “return to Europe” and the stages of this struggle provide a unique opportunity to study the impact of Europeanisation on Polish transformation. In addition, analysing the Europeanisation of a Western state from an Eastern point of view adds new dimensions to Europeanisation studies.