This book examines the two main dimensions of the European Union's enlargement to eight central and eastern European countries (CEECs) in 2004. Why did the EU agree to enlargement, despite the costs for some incumbents who have veto-power? How can we explain the (uneven) pattern of accommodation of the CEECs' preferences in concrete policies?
Combining in-depth empirical analysis with an original theoretical framework, which draws on insights from constructivism and historical institutionalism, this book focuses on the EU's discursively constructed role-identity vis-à-vis the CEECs. This role-identity forged a group of policy advocates inside the European Commission, who promoted the CEECs' preferences inside the EU, and induced a path-dependence into the enlargement process.
The impact of EU identity on concrete policies was less direct. Case studies on trade liberalisation, regulatory alignment, and foreign policy consultations demonstrate that sectoral policy paradigms are a key factor that mediates the influence of the policy advocates on specific policy areas.

Ulrich Sedelmeier is Senior Lecturer in International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science

Part I: Analytical framework
1. Introduction: the puzzle(s) of the EU's eastern enlargement
2. Constructing the EU's collective identity vis-à-vis the CEECs
3. Conceptualising the impact of EU identity on the enlargement policy
Part II: The macro-policy
4. Setting the path to eastern enlargement: from initial reluctance to endorsement of the accession perspective
5. Following the path to eastern enlargement: from the general principle of membership to accession
Part III: Meso-policies
6. Liberalisation of steel trade
7. Regulatory alignment with the internal market
8. Political dialogue on foreign policy
Part IV: Conclusions
9. Conclusions
References