5 - Theories of European Integration

Question 1

Neo-functionalism

Answer 1

looks at the accumulation of power at supranational level by applying the notion of spillover and by neglecting the role of MS as integration drivers

Question 2

Intergovernmentalism

Answer 2

places MS at the center of bargaining. The EU is seen as a venture in cooperation among states. Pooled sovereignty does not diminish the role of the state but rather enforces it. The EU reflects the preferences of national governments rather than than supranational institutions.

Question 3

Institutionalism

Answer 3

institution matters are more than reflections of social forces and so more than producing a neutral arena for political interaction

Question 4

Rational Choice Institutionalism

Answer 4

the delegation of authority to supranational institutions; supranational institutions are agents created by MS to reduce transaction costs in the functioning of the EU
Most similar theory to intergovernmentalism

Question 5

Sociological Institutionalism

Answer 5

includes cultural aspects such as administrative culture, norms, and values in MS relations with the EU

Question 6

Historical Institutionalism

Answer 6

Focuses on the role of time
politics in the EU is a path of dependence process
Institutions can integrate experiences and norms over time

Question 7

Spill over

Answer 7

A situation in which an action can only be taken related to a specific goal if further actions are taken

Question 8

Functional spill-over

Answer 8

Integration in one sector creates a necessity for integration in related sectors due to economic interdependencies

Question 9

Political spill-over

Answer 9

The creation and strengthening of supranational institutions, which then promote further integration

Question 10

Cultivated spill-over

Answer 10

Active efforts by supranational actors to promote integration beyond what would naturally occur from economic or political dynamics

Question 11

Intergovernmental concepts from Neo-realism

Answer 11

1) states as only important actors
2) anarchic international system
3) distribution of capabilities as main explanatory variable

Question 12

Governance approach

Answer 12

governing is the interaction of many actors without a clear divide between public and private sphere

Question 13

EU through governance model

Answer 13

EU politics and policies are the results of interactions between the commission, the MS, regions, interest groups

Question 14

Europeanization

Answer 14

the process of domestic adaptation to European regional integration
The consequences of European integration for MS

Question 15

Vertical directionality of Europeanization

Answer 15

1) the domestic adjustment of MS to the EU = downloading
2) MS activation to upload their demands to the EU level

Question 16

Horizontal europeanization

Answer 16

the transfer of concepts and policies between MS under circumstances where the EU has not played a legislative role = crossloading

Question 17

Acquis communitaire

Answer 17

set of rules and directives that a state joining the EU must adhere to

Question 18

Democratic deficit

Answer 18

• loss of democratic accountability of national governments transferring the right to legislate to ministers meeting in the Council
• now its the distance between EU institutions and voters

Question 19

causes of democratic deficit

Answer 19

• Representation - the EP is not a parliament representing a single people
• Accountability - the choice of the executive is not visible as in national contexts
• A complex polity - not comparable with a national one