State Power within European Integration: On the limits and context of Germany's power in the Union

Abstract

Germany is widely perceived to be calling the shots in Europe's sovereign debt crisis management, and maybe in the EU in general. But a state's influence in the union is complex and also contextual. Clearly, though, state power seems to have regained prominence in the European debate. How much power have member states retained, or perhaps even won, in the process of integration - and what does power in the Union look like? Five theses on power in today's European Union.