In the life of the European Union, it was a well known phenomenon that the acceleration of the process of integration, and through this the more complete internal liberalization of the economic processes did not decrease the backwardness of the already less developed areas, but rather increased the economic and social difficulties. As a result of this phenomenon, they began to search for compensation and support formulas that correspond to the special needs of these areas. This means that the regionalism in Western European countries has also served the purpose of making those disadvantageous regions equal, in such a way that the process of integration should not slow and that these regions can also benefit as far as possible from its advantages.
All of these naturally support the supposition that for Central Europe, as a yet less developed sub-region of the European continent, the deepening of sub
state level regionalism is a necessity. It is especially valid if these countries want to make the supposed advantages of integration available for their whole society - and the maintenance of an integrated society in relation to the possibilities of the 21st century occupies an important place in their plans.
The economic situation of Hungary and its neighboring countries does not reach the average level of development of the European Union at present. It is especially valid for the Eastern part of the Carpathian basin, which is expected to become the Eastern border, the eastern “gate” of the European Union after the accession of Hungary. It can be assumed that the present support system of the European Union, either the Structural or Cohesion Funds, or the CAP supporting agriculture, will not be operational at the time of the accession of the Central European countries. We cannot expect that the less developed areas of Hungary, which border on even less developed territories - whether we take into consideration the eastern part of Slovakia or the areas bordering on Romania - will receive support from the European Union in order to ease their transition.
On the other hand, with the accession of Hungary, both from a global context and from the point of view of the European involvement as a whole, the value of these marginal territories can be increased to such an extent that the disadvantages can become potential advantages.
We primarily think of the increasing interest of the two other actors on the global stage besides Europe, namely, Japan and the United States. Their market actors would like to acquire such economic positions until the accession of Hungary to the European Union - the outlines of which could be seen in the northern region of Hungary - that would not only ensure a position of possession for them but also the possibility to take advantage of this border role through the still-forming Euroregional initiatives. In this context, the situation of the eastern marginal area is appreciated: Its present peripheral situation can become a potential comparative advantage; moreover, it can be a factor in strengthening their negotiation positions. Realizing this circumstance, the still
forming regions can contribute to the counter-balancing of those imbalances within the country and the region generated by the process of globalization. In some respects, they can even control the process itself. However, this role cannot be enforced merely at a county, a district or a local government level. It is necessary that regions with 1-2 million inhabitants that have existing operating institutional systems and a clear picture concerning the kind of development strategy that could best suit their own economic development, as well as the global involvement of the region, would appear before the potential investors. In this way, it is possible for the region to avoid becoming dependent on others, as well as being subservient to other globalization strategies: It is by recognizing the system of means ensured by this new situation that this region can be competitive.
We must also consider a fact that is not only important from the point of view of the Central European countries, but from the standpoint of the strategic enlargement of the European Union as well. Namely, the enormous possibilities lying in the development of eastern relations. The connection between the Central European region and Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States can be considered a provisional one. We cannot expect that trade or economic relations will shift or develop from today's very low level. In the age of globalization, “vacuum situations” cannot be maintained for a long. In the global competition, it is the very interest of every center to broaden relations and take advantage of the possibilities. In this context, the Central European sub- region - within this, the Euroregions operating here - can again acquire an eminent position, for them the enlargement of the East-West relations can ensure a new role. Besides the evident advantages - such as the proximity of Eastern markets, low labor costs, highly qualified labor force, etc. - that mean a natural attraction for foreign investments, these regions can take on such important roles in our age as setting up logistical centers built on the East-West commercial relations.
Other arguments in favor of regions and Euroregions, in addition to the advantages originating from global and integration processes, could have economic aspects as well. We think of the problems that derive from the lack of resources, which - through regionalism - could assist the coordination of development strategies and the concentration of resources for those areas that belong together. It can aid the formulation of the optimal company size as well as cross borders, which are otherwise of a limiting and isolating nature, as they work against development - a characteristic feature of all national borders in Central Europe. It is very important during the presentation of these advantages to draw attention - especially in the case of those economies under transformation - to an aspect that is difficult to realize and which can be a key factor in bridging the gap between countries or regions: This is the development of small- and middle-sized enterprises of domestic and regional interest. This priority seems to be a political aspect in the eyes of many, and naturally, it cannot be neglected in Central Europe. However, when talking about utilizing the advantages of regionalism, the successful role of the region is determined by the extent to which the small- and middle-sized enterprises - which play an important role in the treatment of employment problems - can establish regional relations between themselves and even within their own relation systems. We think that it is very important to re-emphasize that although Central European regionalism has its own positive values at the moment, its success must be ensured by the supporting background of European integration and regional processes.
Economically and politically motivated regionalism could mean a solution to the treatment of the emerging social problems in the countries under
transition. Our statement is proven here, at the end of this study, by the fact that - firstly, the real necessity of the micro-economy can be better followed and secondly, the criteria of social help can be better linked to the real need - while the active, that is to say, not aid-based social policy can develop broader room in a region with a diversified micro-economic structure, which at the same time helps the growth and strengthening of the middle class traditionally linked to European culture. Arriving at the social type, welfare problems of the modem state, the need to reformulate the viewpoints that relate to the system of tasks becomes very striking. This entails the moral renewal of the man of modem Western values. We think that the need for social solidarity among social segments and age groups should not only be a higher level value represented by the European institutional system, but it should become a reality for both the individual and the social community. Patriotism, which can be listed among the traditional European values, developed through regionalism can again gain some strength. The development of this social view can be supported by the fact that we must not only and primarily identify with all this on the basis of Christian values, but in our own interest - as long as we ourselves are not in need of similar assistance.
We believe that Central Europe has a very important position to fill in this respect. There is a great necessity among the region’s societies for integration and the values associated with it. It is doubtless that the state must take on a new role. The individual, however, can preserve the awareness of and the need for social solidarity, which under any circumstances must come before the exclusiveness of Western consumer views.
References
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Cséfalvy, Zoltán: Helyünk a nap alatt - Magyarország és Budapest a globalizáció korában (Our Place under the Sun - Hungary and Budapest in the Age of Globalization). Kairosz Kiadó/Növekedéskutató, 1998.
Segesváry, Viktor: Globalizáció és világgazdaság (Globalization and World Economy). Valóság, 1998/4.
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