Morris, Trevor G.N. (1991) "Reassessing neo-functionalism: structure and process in the contemporary Community". In: UNSPECIFIED, Fairfax, Virginia. (Unpublished)
Abstract
[From the Introduction]. In this paper one approach to integration, as described by the neofunctionalists, is reexamined. This school of thought was popular and considered appropriate when describing European cooperation in the first twenty five years following the Second World War. In the past two decades the approach has fallen into disfavor as the actual behavior of the European Community's members failed to live up to the expectations of the neo-functiorialists. It will be argued here that this rejection, while understandable, was too harsh a judgement of the theory. While neo-functionalism failed to meet its predictions it did establish criteria by which to measure integration and the processes by which it is achieved. This paper will survey neo-functionalism's development, the weaknesses that led to its demise, and finally reexamine its relevance in light of the community's recent developments.
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