Gender, power and European integration theory

Abstract:

The European integration process both affirms and challenges gender relations in Europe. Yet integration theories have contributed little to understanding gender dynamics. The article presents a feminist critique of integration theories and argues that they have failed to look at how gender relations impact the ‘driving forces’ of European integration. This lacuna is attributed to the implicit male norm and the rudimentary view on power embedded in integration theories. The article also explores ways to include gender in integration studies and suggests how EU integration can be perceived from a feminist viewpoint.