Integrating integration theory: neo-functionalism and international regimes

Abstract

"It is common to juxtapose inter-governmentalism and neo-functionalism as the two most important, and seemingly mutually exclusive, frameworks to interpret the phenomenon of 'European integration' and its institutional dimension, the European Community. Inter-governmentalism promises to offer a broadly applicable concept for the analysis of international cooperative institutions. It recognises that the Community emerged from the self-help based international system and emphasises the continuing central role of the member states. However, conceiving of the Community as one international institution among many others it tends to disregard the specificities of this particular institution. Moreover, inter-governmentalism is conceptionally founded on a state-centred and static approach to institutions and cannot, therefore, cope with integration as a process of development over time, nor does it readily accommodate the role of non-state actors within the Community system." (author's abstract)