Theories on Integration

Sources: Jones, Robert. The Politics and Economics of the European Union. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, 2001. Artis, Mike and Frederick Nixson. The Economis of the European Union. New York: Oxford University Press, 2007

So what?
Why is integration an important topic in Global Politics?
Changing nature of the international system: billiard ball model vs international cooperation

So what?
Why is integration an important topic in Global Politics?
Reasons for change? Globalization, economic interdependence, benefits of cooperation as opposed to isolation Devastation of conflict Altruism

What is Integration?
A process by which states merge into larger entities (Jovanovic 1992) It involves the following processes:
Voluntary relinquishment of some degree of independence Shifting of interests, loyalties, policies to a new center

What is Integration?
Types of integration
Positive building of common policies Negative removal of cross-border barriers

Degrees of Integration
Integration width range of subjects covered by integration agreements Integration depth extent to which there is a pooling of sovereignty in a particular policy area

Why the EU?

Duhis there any other organization in the world that is more integrated than the EU? Studies on the EU are either descriptive or prescriptive: descriptive because the EU is such a unique case that attempts have been made to replicate it in other regional integration efforts; prescriptive because integration in the EU is far from perfect and is still underway

Billiard Ball Model vs Integration

What again are the processes involved in integration? Characteristics of the nation-state:
Sovereignty Territorial Integrity Distinct cultural entity

Does integration mean the death of the nation-state?

Presence of non-state actors in international arena (Examples?) So is the nation-state destined to disappear against a backdrop of supra-nationalism (above nationalism)? Not necessarily Despite changes in international system and increasing interdependence, the state remains the dominant actor in international affairs

Sovereignty redefined under integration mechanisms

Elements of decision-making power may be transferred from national governments to supranational authorities
A
B Supranational Authority C

Sovereignty redefined under integration mechanisms

Perform functions for the organization (e.g. EU) as a whole and do not represent the interests of a single state Examples: European Court of Justice, European Parliament

Sovereignty redefined under integration mechanisms

ACHTUNG!!!
Other key policy areas such as foreign affairs, defence, domestic justice and responsibility for direct taxation remain within the powers of the state

Sovereignty redefined under integration mechanisms

States may participate in shared decision making collective decisions Types of shared decisionmaking:
Loose intergovernmentalism states can veto decisions they find unacceptable Tight intergovernmentalism binding majority voting

Theories of the nature of the EU

The EU is a state Yeswhy? Nowhy not? Remember what the EU as an organization has and does not have Supranational characteristics: institutions such as the Parliament and Court of Justice Non-state like characteristics: defence and taxation still in the hands of individual governments

Theories of the nature of the EU

The EU is an intergovernmental organization YesWhy? NoWhy not? Think United Nations, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Association of Southeast Asian Nations The answer is obviously no

Theories of EU integration
Functionalism Neo-functionalism Federalism Intergovernmentalism Policy Networks Multilevel Governance The New Institutionalism

Theories of EU integration: Functionalism

Concerned with the operations of specific units in society; developing them would contribute to the well-being of the whole Technical cooperation between different functional sectors of European countries: agriculture, communications, science, transport
A

Theories of EU integration: Functionalism

Founded by David Mitrany, Romanian-born Englishman who taught at London School of Economics Key principles:
State incapable of taking care of citizens welfare Technical self-determination Establishment of supranational authorities to take over duties of the State Primacy of economics over politics Global supranationalism

Theories of EU integration: Functionalism

Flaws:
Politics cannot be separated from economics States are still dominant actors in international relations Assumes functional authorities handling different sectors of the economy will regulate themselves

Theories of EU integration: Neo-Functionalism

Governments play an important role in integration Integration can be achieved only through cooperation Low politics: Coal, steel Cooperation occurs in stages: happens in areas considered low politics and may spillover to high politics

High politics: Defense policy

Theories of EU integration: Neo-Functionalism

Proponents are Joseph Nye, Ernst Haas, Leon Lindberg, American scholars Key principles
Openness of governments key in integration Regional integration more possible due to shared history of countries within a region

Theories of EU integration: Federalism

Formal distribution of power from a center to the regional governments Decentralization, although central government still responsible for foreign and security policy
Supranational government

Theories of EU integration: Federalism

Espoused by German foreign minister Joshka Fischer EU viewed as federation except through name: there are supranational institutions, European Parliament, Court of Justice However: no constitution, independent governments more powerful than typical federal governments (voting for any resolution encompassing EU member-states), supranational government not in charge of defense

Theories of EU integration: Intergovernmentalism

Two types: prescriptive and descriptive intergovernmentalism Prescriptive intergovernmentalism governments SHOULD be the dominant actors in the EU)
Proponents will oppose any attempts to strengthen supranationalism EU seen as a club of states Developments are dependent on the openness of governments Openness of governments depend on whether or not resolutions are parallel to state interests

Theories of EU integration: Intergovernmentalism

Descriptive intergovernmentalism governments ARE for good or ill the key actors in the EU
States dominate policy decisions, in particular dominant actors: France, Germany Influence of supranational actors is marginal and limited to situations where they have strong allies among member-states However, even though states may wish to preserve their interests, they may appear open in foreign negotiations to garner acceptance balancing domestic with European pressures

Theories of EU integration: Policy Networks

Policy network an arena for the mediation of interests of governments and interest groups (Jones 2001) Comprised of different actors with different levels of influence who continuously bargain, negotiate, collaborate to shape the policy process according to their desired outcome Includes non-governmental organizations, groups, private sector, individuals

Theories of EU integration: Policy Networks

Groups are allowed into policy making process in order to extract knowledge and expertise from them and so as not to cause conflict Pluralist

Outcome: Policy

Theories of EU integration: Multilevel Governance

Studies multiple levels of governance in EU: supranational, national, subnational, and how they interact Power is not equally distributed among all levels

Theories of EU integration: New Institutionalism

Institutions formal and informal structures comprised of values, culture, conventions, symbolic power Institutionalism how all these structures affect behavior WHY

Theories of EU integration: New Institutionalism

Three types: historical, rational choice, sociological Historical how past experiences influence decisions Rational choice cost and benefit analysis Sociological norms serve as a guide to actors in how to act; not so deterministic

Common thread among all theories

Different types of actors are involved in integration Interplay between sovereignty and supranationalism Illustrates the uniqueness of the EU as an organization

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Origins and formation of the EU