EU enlargement policy has long been hailed as the most effective form of external democracy promotion. Yet in recent years, democratic backsliding has emerged both among new member states and in current candidate countries. Why do we see such trends? I argue that unintended side effects of EU policies, but also shifts in the broader international context can account for the reduced effectiveness of EU democracy promotion.

After 15 successful years based at St Antony's College, Oxford, Professor Jan Zielonka will retire in 2020. He has not only served as an ambassador for the work of the European Studies Centre, but also as a contributor to his fields of research.

The Centre holds this event - comprising of several short panels to reflect the areas of research to which Professor Zielonka has contributed - to honour him ahead of his retirement.

We explore the long-term political consequences of the Third Reich and show that current political intolerance, xenophobia, and voting for radical right-wing parties are associated with proximity to former Nazi concentration camps in Germany. This relationship is not explained by contemporary attitudes, the location of the camps, geographic sorting, the economic impact of the camps, or their current use. We argue that cognitive dissonance led those more directly exposed to Nazi institutions to conform with the belief system of the regime.

All welcome / bring lunch!

In the presence of the documentary filmmakers, Lode Desmet and Edward Stourton, followed by a round-table with journalists and academics on Brexit and the media.

Co-organiser: Dr Michael Drolet, Worcester College.