The Changing Faces of Europeanisation: How Did the European Union Influence Corruption in Slovakia Before and After Accession?

<p>Europe-Asia Studies (Impact Factor: 0.58). 05/2014; 66(4):536-556. DOI:10.1080/09668136.2014.899767</p> <p>EditABSTRACT The paper looks at the European Union’s impact on corruption in Slovakia, both before and after the country’s accession to the European Union. It shows that even though pre-accession channels of influence diminish or disappear, membership brings new means of influence. Our methodology looks beyond institutional changes and explicit anti-corruption mechanisms. Before 1999, the European Union’s influence on corruption was close to zero, and between 1999 and 2004, its influence was strong and positive. Post-accession developments are more ambiguous, but despite an apparent worsening of corruption after 2004, we observe a transformation rather than a loss of European Union influence.