Differentiated Integration. Explaining Variation in the European Union

Abstract:

Far from displaying a uniform pattern of integration, the European Union varies significantly across policy areas, institutional development and individual countries. Why do some policies such as the Single Market attract non-EU member states, while some member states choose to opt out of other EU policies? In answering these questions, this text provides a state-of-the-art introduction to the study of European integration.

The authors introduce the most important theories of European integration and apply these to the trajectories of key EU policy areas – including the single market, monetary policy, foreign and security policy, and justice and home affairs. Arguing that no single theory offers a completely convincing explanation of integration and differentiation in the EU, the authors put forward a new analytical perspective for describing and explaining the institutions and policies of the EU and their development over time.

Table of Contents:

• Introduction
  • The European Union as a System of Differentiated Integration
• Part I | Theory
  • Intergovernmentalism
  • Supranationalism
  • Constructivism
• Part II | Policies
  • The Single Market
  • Economic and Monetary Union
  • Security and Defence
  • The Area of Freedom, Security, and Justice
• Conclusions
  • Integration and differentiation in the European Union