The European Union and central and eastern Europe: Governance and boundaries

This article applies an analytical framework of governance and boundaries t o explore the development of EU relations with the central and eastern Euro pean countries (CEEC) and the politics of enlargement. It examines how boun dary changes create opportunities and incentives to extend governance below the membership line. Furthermore, it demonstrates how, through a process o f internalization, the CEEC increasingly impact on EU governance through is sue linkage, changes in actors' preferences and effects on the negotiation process. This demonstrates a linkage between the governance system and the EU's capacity to contribute to Europe's wider political, security and econo mic order.