Developing Conceptualizations of Europeanization and European Integration: Mixing Methodologies

Howell, Kerry. (2002) Developing Conceptualizations of Europeanization and European Integration: Mixing Methodologies. In: UNSPECIFIED, Sheffield, UK.

Preview	PDF Download (61Kb) | Preview
	Microsoft Word Download (95Kb)

Abstract

In its most explicit form Europeanization is conceptualized as the process of downloading European Union (EU) directives, regulations and institutional structures to the domestic level. However, this conceptualization of Europeanization has been extended in the literature in terms of up-loading to the EU, shared beliefs, informal and formal rules, discourse, identities and vertical and horizontal policy transfer. Further issues regarding conceptualizations of Europeanization relate to direct and indirect impacts, diversity and uniformity and fit and misfit. There are also problems concerning the differences and similarities between Europeanization and European integration and whether the former offers anything new to the study and analysis of the EU. To deal with some of these issues this paper re-assesses neo-functionalism as a grand theory from a non-positivist perspective. It then uses Europeanization as a meta-theory to break down aspects of neo-functionalism, which allows elements of positivism to be re-introduced to the analysis and along with constructivism provide greater explanatory power regarding European integration. Overall, this paper examines the difference between Europeanization and European integration and outlines a working conceptualization of Europeanization.

Actions (login required)