At a time when many regions of the world, including Europe, see a resurgence of authoritarianism, three countries of Eastern Europe Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova are struggling to counter this trend with the aim of developing European-style democracies in the framework of their Association Agreements with the European Union.

This book offers an in-depth analysis of this challenge, with expert contributions on the workings of these countries democratic and judicial institutions, their anti-corruption policies and the hazards they must overcome, including the strong presence of oligarchs. Other themes include how these countries are adapting to their precarious geo-political positioning between the EU and Russia and how the quality of their political and economic governance compares with the Balkan states.

The book complements three landmark Handbooks (now in their 2nd edition and also published by Rowman& Littlefield International) explaining the progress achieved in implementing the comprehensive Association Agreements that each of these countries has entered into with the EU.


The struggle to advance good democratic governance in these close neighbours of the EU represents a test case of the highest strategic significance for both the EU and the three states themselves. For the most part, the jury is still out over its outcome.

Michael Emersonis a Senior Fellow at CEPS in Brussels, and was formerly with the European Commission, including as EU Ambassador in Moscow.

Denis Cenuis Programme Director at the independent Moldovan think tank, Expert-Grup.

Tamara Kovziridzeis Senior Director of the Reformatics consulting company in Tbilisi, and former deputy minister in the Government of Georgia.

Veronika Movchanis Academic Director of the Institute for Economic Research and Policy Consulting in Kyiv.

The Essence of the Struggle,Michael Emerson / 1. Towards Becoming European-Style Democracies,Ghia Nodia, Denis Cenu& Mikhail Minakov / 2. Oligarchs as Key Obstacles to Reform,Wojciech Kononczuk, Denis Cenu& Kornely Kakachia / 3. Integrity and Judicial Reform, Steven Blockmans, Nadejda Hriptievschi, Viacheslav Panasiuk& Ekaterine Zguladze /4. Anti-Corruption Policies, Michael Emerson, Nadejda Hriptievchi, Olexandr Kalitenko, Tamara Kovziridze& Elena Prohnitchi / 5. Can Greater Gender Equality in Senior Roles Help Reduce Corruption?Serena Romano / 6. Incomplete Hegemonies, Hybrid Neighbours: Identity Games and Policy Tools,Andrey Makarychev / 7. Political and Economic Governance in the Balkans vs Eastern Europe,Michael Emerson& Gergana Noutcheva / 8. Demystifying the Association Agreements,Kataryna Wolczuk /About the Contributors