Why do Poland and Hungary remain EU Member States? On not confronting illiberal governments

Abstract

This Reflection paper considers why Poland’s and Hungary’s membership of the European Union remains largely unaffected by widespread, serious and documented actions on the part of those two governments which have gravely weakened the rule of law, democracy and human rights.  Despite the title, the Reflection does not argue for expulsion of these states, but investigates further why it is that the EU’s political institutions have not more robustly confronted Poland and Hungary, and explains why this is a risky strategy for a range of reasons.