European Integration Theories PDF

European Integration Theories Prof. dr. Kolja Raube European Integration, Module 4 Winter 2023, Session 3 European Integration Theory • “Neo-functionalists and supranationalists argue that every crisis of European integration can eventually be turned into an opportunity or will, at least, not ne...

European Integration Theories Prof. dr. Kolja Raube European Integration, Module 4 Winter 2023, Session 3 European Integration Theory • “Neo-functionalists and supranationalists argue that every crisis of European integration can eventually be turned into an opportunity or will, at least, not necessarily have a negative effect.” (Raube/Costa Reis 2020; see also: Webber 2019, p.30). • “Their optimism is rooted in the institutionalization of supranational and autonomous actors, such as the European Commission or the Court of Justice of the European Union, the sheer endless stream of transnational interactions that re-creates demands for supranational integration and, finally, path-dependency of institutional responses (Raube/Costa Reis 2020; see also: Schimmelfennig 2017; Webber 2019). • In other words, if the European Commission and the Court proof to be autonomous institutions, engines and safeguards of integration, then crises can find effective responses at the European level, allowing the EU to head forward with integration. (Raube/Costa Reis 2020 European Integration Theory • Post-functionalist theories tend to share this pessimistic outlook and the negative expectations regarding European crises (Raube/Costa Reis 2020; Schimmelfennig 2017). • “Championed by Hooghe and Marks (2009; see also this volume), postfunctionalist theory sees domestic Euroscepticism as an endogenous crisis origin. Rooted in the idea of an overall politicization of European integration (De Wilde 2011), Hooghe and Marks see a looming Euroscepticism within Member States which limits governments’ room for manoeuvre to take (necessary) integration steps. In other words, Hooghe and Marks expect “a mismatch of functionally efficient and politically feasible solutions” (Raube/Costa Reis 2020; see Hooghe and Marks 2008, pp.21-23). European Integration Theory 4 Bachelor of European Studies European Integration Theory • Empty chair crisis and intergovernmental critique of neo-functionalist assumptions • Contradictions of diversity and integration • “Nations prefer certainty, or the self-controlled uncertainty” (Hoffman in Rosamond 2000, p.77) • Integration in areas of ‘low’ and ‘high politics’ – or areas of cooperative activity and areas of uncompromised sovereignty • Example: foreign, security and defence policies – cooperation but noncompromised sovereignty? 5 Bachelor of European Studies European Integration Theory • Liberal intergovernmentalism beyond conceptions of the state as unitary actors • Breaking open the domestic sphere of politics • Governments as rational actors between domestic and European politics (Moravcsik 1993) • Two-level game and games executives play on two levels • Government in the domestic political context • Government in the context of international negotiations • Bargaining power in the European context 6 Bachelor of European Studies European Integration Theory International Level and interest negotiations Domestic Level and political competition 7 Bachelor of European Studies European Integration Theory European Integration Theory • “Intergovernmental theories would not necessarily fall into the break-down scenario and project an overall negative crisis outlook.” (Raube/Costa Reis 2020; see also: Schimmelfennig 2017, p.320; this volume). • “crisis outcome depends on the intergovernmental constellation of integration preferences and bargaining power” (Schimmelfennig 2017, p.317) • “In the case of a looming democracy and rule of law crisis, we would, for example, expect Member States to carefully weigh their interests in maintaining ‘good relations’ on the European level and the negative impact that an ‘intervention’ in domestic matters of drifting Member States could have. In terms of the EU actors involved and measures taken, we expect a preference for intergovernmental collective actors, such as the Council, and measures that represent the lowest common denominator rather than far-reaching sanctions.“(Raube/Costa Reis 2020) European Integration Theory New Intergovermentalism ―Bickerton, Hodson and Pütter (2015) ―Lack of (expected) supranational integration ―“Challenges theories that associate integration with transfers of competences from national capitals to supranational institutions and those that reduce integration to traditional socioeconomic or security-driven interests” (Bickerton, Hodson and Pütter 2015) ―Deliberation and consensus-seeking politics ―Delegation to de-novo new (including ‘the ECB, the European External Action Service (EEAS), the ESM, regulatory and executive agencies) ➔New supranationalism overlooked and downplayed? (Dehousse 2015) 10 European Integration Theory • “Intergovernmental theories would not necessarily fall into the break-down scenario and project an overall negative crisis outlook.” (Raube/Costa Reis 2020; see also: Schimmelfennig 2017, p.320; this volume). • “crisis outcome depends on the intergovernmental constellation of integration preferences and bargaining power” (Schimmelfennig 2017, p.317) • “In the case of a looming democracy and rule of law crisis, we would, for example, expect Member States to carefully weigh their interests in maintaining ‘good relations’ on the European level and the negative impact that an ‘intervention’ in domestic matters of drifting Member States could have. In terms of the EU actors involved and measures taken, we expect a preference for intergovernmental collective actors, such as the Council, and measures that represent the lowest common denominator rather than far-reaching sanctions.“(Raube/Costa Reis 2020) European Integration Theory What are the critiques against neofunctionalism, intergovernmentalism, etc.? Can one theory possibly be enough to explain European Integration (possibly not)? Which theory holds the key to describe and explain integration and the impact of crisis on European Integration? European Integration Theory • “Building Europe was never to be easy” • “Democratic, modern, forward-looking and protective” (McCormick 2021, p.3) • Europe as a civilizing process (Linklater), a peace-maker (McCormick 2021, p.5) based on values and a shared identity • EU as the only ‘effective channel’, how Europeans can make themselves heard (McCormick 2021, p.7) • EU is damned: between being critized for being non-democratic, or moving toward federalization (Ibid, p.7) • Promotion of capitalism and democracy 13 European Integration Theory European Integration Theory • Is there a Democracy Deficit in the EU? • Is there a Rule of Law Deficit in the EU? • Lack of Social Legitimacy • From Permissive Consensus to Contrained Dissensus European Integration Theory Is there a democratic deficit in the European Union? – Why, why not? Why? Why not? Lack of input and throughput legitimacy Input and output legitimacy works ‘hand in hand’ (via the EP and MS) Absence of minority interests Representation of smaller MS proportionally higher than that of larger MS Voter turnout (EP election) does not match the empowerment of the Union Co-decision between EP and Council Lack of an EP right to initiate policies and to hold the EC accountable Multi-channel representation and ‘added-value’ of EP European Integration Theory European Integration Theory Legitimation Crisis • Populism • Nationalism • Politicization 18 European Integration Theory • Crisis is multi-dimensional (Dinan, Nugent and Paterson 2017) • Economic and Financial Crisis • Migration Crisis • Brexit Crisis • Rule of Law Crisis European Integration Theory • “The EU has lost its sexappeal…long-standing accomplishments have eroded…” (Zielonka 2021, p.10) • Response to crises not specifically convincing, and has alienated citizens • No EU-led integration possible: the EU seems having difficult to reform • Moving forward towards federalization is not possible (Ibid.) • What are the alternatives? Governance networks in multi-level governance, including local actors Bachelor of European Studies 20 European Integration Theories • What next? • Do we need more supranational or more intergovernmental decisionmaking in the EU? Which modes of governing the EU should we aim for? Intergovernmentalism or supranationalism? • Should the EU further enlarge? Which aspects/consequences of enlargement speak for/against enlargement? 21 European Integration Theory ➢ The crises have put the EU as a model in question ➢ The EU's performance, institutional set-up and perception undermines rather than fosters its legitimacy ➢ Crises as delegitimizing forces rather than opportunities ➢ 'Wir schaffen das!' - 'Really?' ➢ The other normal as a functional reminder of the EU's achievement ➢ Translation from a functional given to the soft power of enticement ➢ The role of transnationalism in building European Identities EU Crises and Integration • Integration is the coming together of separated parts: however the coming together does not determine the number of parts nor the degree to which these parts will be interwoven, rather: the degree of integration can vary • Disintegration: the falling apart of formerly connected parts: however the falling apart may not be determined by a certain number of parts, nor the degree of separation, rather: the degree of disintegration can vary EU Crises and Integration • Will the EU disintegrate? (Webber 2017) Disintegration: the falling apart of formerly connected parts: however the falling apart may not be determined by a certain number of parts, nor the degree of separation, rather: the degree of disintegration can vary ➔General integration theories rather skeptical that the EU will not survive (Neofunctionalism, Liberal intergov., Transactionalism, see however Postfunctionalism) ➔ IR-Theories less optimistic, focusing on intern. Hegemony and the need for common interests (see International Relations Institutionalism) ➔Dependence on German-French cooperation (see Intergovernmentalism) ➔Lack of a common identity and support (Comparative Federalism) ➔Lack of effectiveness (Actor-centred institutionalism) Selected Literature • Bickerton, C.; D. Hodson; U. Puetter (2015): The New Intergovernmentalism: European Integration in thePost-Maastricht Era, JCMS 2015 Volume 53. Number 4. pp. 703–722 • Dehousse, R. (2015): The New Supranationalism, European Consortium of Political Research, Montreal, August 26-29, 2015. • Deutsch, K. W. et al. (1957): Political Community and the North Atalantic Area: International Organization in the Light of Historical Experience, Princeton University Press • Elazar D. T. (1996): From Statism to Federalism: A Paradigm Shift, International Political Science Review,. Vol. 17, No. 4, pp. 417-429 25 Master of European Studies: Transnational and Global Perspectives Selected Literature • Haas, E. (1961): International Integration: The European Union and the Universal Process, International Organization, Vol. 15, No.3, 366-392 • Hoffmann, S. (1966): Obstinate or Obsolete? The Fate of the Nation-State and the Case of Western Europe, In: Daedalus, Vol. 95, No. 3, pp. 862-915 • Marks, G., Hooghe, L, and K. Blank (1996): European Integration from the 1980s: State-Centric v. Multi-level Governance, Journal of Common Market Studies, Vol. 34, No. 3, 341–378 • Mitrany D. (1994): A Working Peace System. In: Nelsen B.F., Stubb A.CG. (eds) The European Union. Palgrave, London • Moravcsik, A. (1993): Preferences and Power in the European Community: A Liberal Intergovernmentalist Approach, Journal of Common Market Studies, VoL. 31, No.4, 473-524. 26 Selected Literature • Raube, K., F. Costa-Reis (2020), "The EU’s Crisis Response Regarding the Democratic and Rule of Law Crisis“, in: Marianne Riddervold et al. (Eds): The Palgrave Handbook of EU Crises, (Chapter 37) • Rosamond, Ben (2014): Theorizing the EU after integration theory, in: Michelle Cini, Nieves Pérez-Solórzano Borragán: European Union Politics. Oxford University Press. • Rosamond, Ben (2020): Theories of European Integration. Palgrave. • Sandholtz, W, and A. Stone Sweet (1997), European Integration and Supranational Governance, Journal of European Public Policy, Vol. 4, No.3 September 1997:297-317 • Saurugger, Sabine (2017): Theoretical Approaches to European Integration. Palgrave 27