This project explores the complex relationship between sovereignty and federalism within European integration through an interdisciplinary approach. The project focuses on the vision of European integration and the balance between national sovereignty and EU federalism, with a particular comparison between Visegrad (V4) countries—Hungary, Poland, Slovakia—and Nordic countries—Finland and Sweden.
Having regained sovereignty after communism, the V4 countries have been cautious about ceding authority to EU institutions. Since the 2004 EU eastward enlargement, they have weighed the economic and political benefits of federalism against concerns over losing national control. Recent crises, including the 2008 economic downturn and migration challenges, have intensified these debates, alongside rising nationalism, populism, and protectionist tendencies. Despite their significance, these discussions often lack sufficient platforms in educational institutions, limiting public discourse. The project aims to address this gap by connecting scholarly research, policy insights, and public understanding.
European integration involves multifaceted political, social, and historical dimensions. By employing an interdisciplinary framework—bringing together political scientists, historians, international relations researchers, and social psychologists—the project provides a nuanced and robust analysis of sovereignty and federalism. Policymakers are engaged in dialogue with scholars to bridge the gap between research and practical decision-making.
I contribute to the project by examining the V4 countries and Austria, analysing the historical, political, economic, and cultural influences of Germany and Russia from the 19th century to the present. I also study the cooperation between the V4 countries and Austria and trace the evolution of the concepts of nationalism, federalism, and sovereignty in these nations. My research closely examines the multifaceted challenges that have inhibited cooperation within the modern European framework and explores the factors that have shaped the general development of these countries. In addition, I investigate the aftermath of key historical events from the 19th century to the present, addressing themes such as how the German unification of 1871 influenced these issues; how the Helsinki Final Act of 1975 and the visit of Pope John Paul II to Poland contributed to the self-determination of the V4 countries and the decline of Soviet power; and how Central European cooperation can be strengthened in view of the region's joint history.
The project is co-financed by the governments of Czechia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia through Visegrad Grants from the International Visegrad Fund, which supports sustainable regional cooperation in Central Europe.