lecture 3

Question 1

paradigm

Answer 1

a set of concepts and practices that define a scientific discipline at any
particular period of time –”universally recognized scientific achievements that, for a time,
provide model problems and solutions for a community of practitioners“ (Kuhn 1996)

Question 2

Structural theories (intergovernmentalism, (neo)functionalism/ supranationalism
and constructivism) of European integration share unitary actor assumption:

Answer 2

Governments reflect domestic politics dominated by socio-economic interest groups, while
their interests are normatively conditioned or manipulated by supranational actors
according to constructivism and (neo)functionalism/supranationalism

Question 3

Non-structural theories assume that actors pursue different policy-, office- and
support-seeking interests

Answer 3

Governments consists of political parties with re-election incentives. Supranational actors
need public support to counter-balance electoral legitimacy of governmental parties.

Question 4

neo-functionalism

Answer 4

emerged in 1950s
- views integration as an incremental process
- suggests integration in one area has a spillover affect into other policy areas
- interconnectedness of policy areas
- elite driven
- recognises the importance of supranational institutions like the European commission in driving integration

Question 5

supranationalism

Answer 5

Supranational institutions possess power and authority to make decisions that bind member
states. This manifests through institutions like European Commission and European Court of
Justice, which have the authority to enact and enforce.

Question 6

pooling sovereignty

Answer 6

Member states transfer policy competences from the national to the
supranational level to achieve common advantages

Question 7

Delegation of Power:

Answer 7

Supranational institutions have power to make binding decisions that
can range from setting common policies to adjudicating member state disputes

Question 8

direct effect and supremacy

Answer 8

Supranational decisions have precedence and direct effect
within member states’ legal systems, meaning they can be enforced by national courts.

Question 9

institutional autonomy

Answer 9

Supranational institutions possess autonomy from member states,
which autonomy allows them to act independently in pursuing the objectives of integration

Question 10

critique of ecj and commission

Answer 10

-limited by the maastricht treaty:
no electoral mandate, which raises questions about democratic legitimacy, accountability, and the
balance of power between national governments and supranational institutions.

Question 11

how does the ecj promote legal integration

Answer 11

Ensuring Uniform Interpretation and Application of EU Law
Enforcing EU Law
Promoting the Development of EU Law

Question 12

The ECJ as a non-political institution

Answer 12

its effectiveness relies on the perception that it is separate from politics
–> an absolute division is impossible, but it attempts this
serves as a mechanism for fostering integration.

Question 13

no integration

Answer 13

conflicting preferences
mutual independence
common incapacity

Question 14

uniform integration

Answer 14

common preferences
mutual dependence
common capacity

Question 15

differentiated integration

Answer 15

heterogeneity of preferences
heterogeneity of dependence
heterogeneity of capacity