tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848499010832405007.post8685996796868559980..comments2014-06-07T02:39:15.370-07:00Comments on SIS Summer Abroad 2013: Brussels: Theorizing EU IntegrationUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848499010832405007.post-33421713701217349682013-06-02T20:50:54.174-07:002013-06-02T20:50:54.174-07:00Good observations here! Intergovernmentalism most...Good observations here! Intergovernmentalism most directly asks us to consider the capacities of different states as *states* on the international stage and interests that are derived from those capacities. In the most recent crisis we have once again seen the policy preferences of Germany and France at the heart of the EU response. We may well see a further institutionalization of particular policy areas (e.g. debt/finance), but one could argue that the specific shape that this new institutionalization will take may well reflect the interests and preferences of Germany, in particular, and France as well (even if the process is a contentious and drawn-out one).Aaron P. Boeseneckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02212235231012536861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848499010832405007.post-80536111475792661772013-06-02T12:30:34.950-07:002013-06-02T12:30:34.950-07:00In addition to what Grant has said, I think that a...In addition to what Grant has said, I think that an intergovernmentalist would argue that member states are the primary actors in the European integration process. From this perspective, a member state can actually be strengthened, rather than weakened by giving up some of their sovereignty to the European Union. This is because, in some policy areas, it could be considered in the state's best interest to pool sovereignty. Certainly, France and Germany have played a key role in furthering European integration because it was in their best interest to do so, particularly in terms of the economy.<br /><br />In terms of what is going on now, I think the interests of the member states are beginning to converge and as a result, integration is continuing through the creation of the European Rescue Fund, the sale of new "euro-bonds," and discussions over a permanent "European Stability Mechanism." All three of these things indicate further integration as a response to the current crisis and, according to the intergovernmentalist perspective, this integration is being pushed by member states.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848499010832405007.post-26017807223761400362013-06-02T05:36:05.300-07:002013-06-02T05:36:05.300-07:00I think that the intergovernmentalist perspective ...I think that the intergovernmentalist perspective does have some insights to offer in relation to the current crisis. As intergovernmentalism emphasizes the role of individual states, I think it might help account for the rise of some of the nationalist movements taking place in the EU - for example, in Greece. In fact, one might even argue that call for greater levels of autonomy and appeals to nationalism are, to some extent, a validation of intergovernmentalism. However, I may be stepping a bit beyond the bounds of the theory by focusing on domestic polities.<br /><br />In thinking about the theory from a state-centric point of view, intergovernmentalism can help explain the crisis in the sense that one might argue that state interests are currently misaligned. The most prominent of these examples might be the discrepancies in economic capabilities between Germany and Greece. As these states will have different priorities and goals in accordance with their economic situations, their individual interests may supersede those of the EU writ large and lead to conflict.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848499010832405007.post-45024152430265265752013-06-01T09:47:50.680-07:002013-06-01T09:47:50.680-07:00Emily, your post does a good job in highlighting t...Emily, your post does a good job in highlighting the ways in which each body of theory focuses on different explanatory factors as central in understanding European Integration, but also the ways in which some of these different bodies of theory overlap, or bump up against each other (even as others remain mutually exclusive and logically inconsistent with each other). While we know that at some broad level "all of these things matter" the key role of theory is to help us hone in on the things that matter more in explaining outcomes at different times and under different conditions.<br /><br />I think you are generally right in your assessment of the ways that we might understand the EU response to the current crisis. I'm curious, though, as to whether you (or others) can think of ways in which the intergovernmentalist perspective might shed light on what is going on, or might offer a different understanding than the (seemingly prevalent) neo-functionalist perspective?Aaron P. Boeseneckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02212235231012536861noreply@blogger.com