International Integration

Question 1

What is international integration?

Answer 1

International integration is the process of countries coming together to form stronger connections, whether through economic, political, or social means. It involves both deepening relationships within countries (vertical) and between different countries (horizontal). It also involves changing how societies understand and interact with each other, creating new shared ways of thinking about the world.

Question 2

What are the 3 dimensions of international integration?

Answer 2

1. Vertical dimensions
2. Horizontal dimensions.
3. A cognitive dimension, involving the construction of shared understandings.

Question 3

What are vertical dimensions of international integration?

Answer 3

The distribution of power and responsibilities between higher and lower levels of governance, such as local, national, or international levels.

Question 4

What are horizontal dimensions of international integration?

Answer 4

Cooperation and interaction between entities at the same level, like states or organizations working together as equals.

Question 5

What does neorealism see as the outcome of regional integration?

Answer 5

Neorealism views integration as temporary cooperation or alliance formation between states. International institutions do not replace state sovereignty.

Question 6

What drives integration according to neorealism?

Answer 6

According to Neorealists, Integration is an attempt to survive and prosper in an anarchical international environment.
The need to reduce relative gains problems and better compete economically or militarily.

Question 7

Where do public loyalties remain in neorealist integration?

Answer 7

Public loyalties remain focused on states, with no development of “social-psychological supranationalism.”

Question 8

What forms of regional cooperation are seen in neorealism?

Answer 8

• Bandwagoning (e.g., NATO).
• Smaller states tying in a hegemon (e.g., Baltics joined NATO for security).
• Hegemonic imposition of cooperation (e.g., U.S. in Western Europe post-1945).

Question 9

What is the main outcome of neofunctionalism in international integration?

Answer 9

The gradual growing together of states into what may ultimately become a single regional state.

Question 10

What are the two driving forces of integration in neofunctionalism?

Answer 10

1. Functional spillover: An initial integrative move creates pressures for integration in other areas.
2. Political spillover: Supranational elites promote further integration, weakening domestic counterparts.

Question 11

What assumption does neofunctionalism make about economic and political spheres?

Answer 11

Economic, political, social, and psychological spheres are connected, so economic integration can lead to integration in other areas.

Question 12

How does public loyalty shift according to neofunctionalism?

Answer 12

Initially, there is a “permissive consensus.” Over time, loyalties shift towards a supranational center of authority, possibly leading to a new kind of nationalism.

Question 13

According to transactionalism, what causes international integration?

Answer 13

A growing volume and density of interaction between societies.

Question 14

How does transactionalism say interaction affects societies?

Answer 14

1. Makes them more similar (e.g., consumption patterns).
2. Promotes psychological “we feeling” and positive dispositions.
3. Increases willingness to accept common institutions.

Question 15

What are the two stages of integration according to Karl Deutsch in transactionalism?

Answer 15

1. Pluralistic security community: A sense of community and “we feeling” without shared institutions.
2. Amalgamated security community: A sense of community with shared institutions.

Question 16

Why might pluralistic security communities be more stable than institutional amalgamation?

Answer 16

Because forms of integration that require less interaction are easier to maintain and less burdensome on societies.

Question 17

What are some problems with transactionalism?

Answer 17

• Cause and effect are hard to distinguish.
• Objective similarity doesn’t always lead to shared subjective identity.
• Moving from “we feeling” to institutional loyalties is uncertain.
• Interaction can be disintegrative under certain conditions.
• The content and density of communication may matter more than assumed.