Neofunctionalism within the Context of European Integration
To understand European integration thoroughly, the concept of neofunctionalism is must to be learnt.
Integration can be defined as the action or process of combining two or more things in an effective way. Neofunctionalism and intergovernmentalism are the two competing approaches that explained and sometimes predicted European integration from the mid-1960s until today. Yet, it is clear that when it comes to European integration, these two theories have very distinct perspectives even about the very definition of integration.
Their main difference lies in the question of whether the EU is a supranational polity or an intergovernmental formation. Besides that, issues such as European integration itself as a notion, the actors that are taking place, and then the EU’s structure as an end result are big parts of the discussion.
Today we will be briefly discussing neo-functionalism. This approach sees European integration as a process that would transform the political and economical orders of Europe. Accordingly, the process of Europeanization starts and continues naturally. It is natural due to the fact that this is very functional and effective for the states. The emphasis on supranational institutions and transnational actions lies at the heart of this theory. To explain the process of integration, neo-functionalism mentions the spillover thesis, the elite socialization thesis, and the formation of supranational interest groups.
Spillover can be mentioned as the mechanism that indicates integration in one area generating new goals in another related policy area or in the original sector. Free movement between member states can be taken as an example. First political implementations were needed to make it happen, but afterward, the idea that common currency would also make movements easier was one of the facts that affected the decisions about the Euro. This kind of intersectoral effect of the European integration process can be seen in many other historical examples within the EU as well.
The elite socialization thesis basically indicates that over time, the interest of the elites will shift from the national level to the EU itself. Thus, denationalization is important for neo-functionalism and about the formation of supranational interest groups, neo-functionalism claims that with national executives, organized interest groups are also expected to be europeanized and develop a supranational orientation resulting in the EU institutions as the main and effective decision making actors within the EU rather than nation-states.
References: 1
2- Cini, M. and Pérez-Solórzano Borragán, N., 2016. European Union Politics. 5th ed. Oxford (OUP), p.66.