VL IB: European Policy Making

Explaining European Integration

What is neofunctionalism and what are its theoretical assumptions?

  • Formulated in the late 50s/early 60s through the work of Ernst Haas (58) and Leon Lindberg (63)
1. Integration is understood as a process
2. Integration: driven by multiple, diverse and changing actors
3. EC is primarily seen as 'a creature of elites'
4. Actors: rational and self-interested, while having the capacity to learn and change their preferences
5. Scope for unintended consequences of previous decisions

Diskussion