Europeanization and domestic incentives: the case of the Association Trio

Abstract

As global geopolitical competition continues to escalate, the European Union’s transformative power has become an increasingly important tool of influence in its neighborhood. This transformative capacity is primarily exercised through the process of Europeanization-specifically, accession Europeanization-whereby candidate countries are expected to align their institutions, norms, values, and practices with those of the EU. In recent years, however, the accession process has produced a dual dynamic: while some states have made significant progress, others have exhibited signs of de-Europeanization. This divergence raises a critical question: what determines the success or failure of accession Europeanization? This thesis investigated the relationship between the effectiveness of accession Europeanization and the domestic incentives of national governments. It conducted a comparative analysis of the Association Trio – Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia – states with similar EU aspirations and regional contexts but markedly different accession Europeanization outcomes. The thesis has found a strong correlation between the strength of domestic incentives and the success of accession Europeanization, thus contributing to the broader theoretical understanding of the accession process. The findings also identified practical challenges that can undermine reform efforts despite EU conditionality. Based on these insights, the thesis argued for a more context-sensitive approach by the EU, one that engages a wider array of domestic actors beyond central governments. Such an approach may improve the resilience and effectiveness of accession Europeanization in future candidate states.