210075 SE BAK11: SE Europäische Union und Europäisierung (2017S)

Theories of European Integration: The EU and its transformation from functional regime to arena of political conflict

Since the beginnings of European integration in the 1950s, political science scholars have attempted to understand the unification process and to derive projections and recommendations. Ever since, the theoretical strands that offer perspectives on integration and the European Union have increased with the different and at times contradictory trends to be observed in the field. The course offers an introductory survey of these attempts to grasp European integration, from the creation of the first communities to attempts to make sense of the current dynamics of political conflict, public contestation, and the threat of disintegration. Besides reading of the key texts, the course will include interactive elements with a view to link the study of integration theory to current politics.

The course content will be divided in five thematic and chronological sections, corresponding to the organisation in five blocs:

1. The classics of integration theory: Introduction into the classical theories of neo-functionalism, intergovernmentalism and multi-level governance, as well as some additional theoretical elements (regulatory state, new institutionalisms, constructivism).

2. Democratic theory and practice in the EU: This section will discuss the notion of the democratic deficit and zoom in on the role central actors of democratic politics play in the EU (political parties, civil society, citizens).

3. New theoretical advances in times of crisis: Taking into account growing Euroscepticism and the setbacks since 2005 (negative referendum results, the Euro crisis) as well as new institutional dynamics, more recent theories include post-functionalism and new intergovernmentalism.

4. Differentiation and disintegration: The territorial and functional differentiation of European governance structures and the possibility of disintegration - including an illustration of the case of Brexit in a simulation session with group work and interactive presentations.

5. The future of European integration: A wrap-up and theoretically informed outlook on the prospects of integration.