The rules of integration: Institutionalist approaches to the study of Europe

Summary:

This book looks at the use of institutionalist research within the study of European integration. The book includes chapters written by a range of contributors from academic backgrounds. These contributors provide perspectives from three different areas of institutionalist research: rational choice, historical, and sociological.

The book addresses three questions. What are the main institutions impacting on European integration and EU decision making? How do institutions arise and is it subject to time and intentional behaviour? How are institutions changed or maintained and how do EU institutions affect institutions at other levels and vice versa. Chapters within the book include; 'The dynamics of European integration: a constitutional analysis of the Amsterdam Treaty'; 'The 'Europeanisation' of central government: the UK and Germany in historical institutionalist perspective'; 'A constrained Commission: informal practices of agenda setting in the Council'; and 'Moving beyond outworn debates: a new institutionalist research agenda'.