Neofunctionalism

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Under neofunctionalism means a political science theory in the branch of international relations . Its object is the explanation of the superimposition of nation states through supranational cooperation.

Basic assumptions and further development

The most important area of ​​application is the neo-functionalist theory of regional integration by Ernst B. Haas , who practically founded neo-functionalism in his book "The Uniting of Europe".

The basic assumptions of neofunctionalism are:

• a cooperation between states that has begun develops a certain momentum of its own;
• Institutions dominate;
• the beginning of integration triggers further cooperation.

Of central importance for the course of an integration process is the "broadcasting" of integration from a limited policy field or a single institution to other policy fields and / or the development of other institutions. This development is called "spill-over", a distinction being made between "functional spill-over" (economy triggers cooperation) and "political spill-over" (existing large institutions are the trigger for further integration).

In the years that followed, and especially in relation to European integration , the theory of neofunctionalism developed further in such a way that the significance of autonomous governmental action as an explanatory variable was further restricted. This was justified by the fact that unilateral action could already have negative consequences and that national actors, through networking between social actors such as trade unions and other NGOs , were gradually losing control over international decision-making processes. This is represented by Alec Stone Sweet and Wayne Sandholz , among others .

According to the logic of this momentum, there can theoretically be no “dismantling” of regional integration; all steps of integration once decided are therefore irreversible.

Position within international relations

Neofunctionalist approaches are to be assigned to liberalism or idealism within the major theories of international relations insofar as the characteristics of the relations between states are traced back to social groups within them; at the same time, however, there are points of contact with institutionalism . There are also similar approaches in the feminist perspective on international politics.

The neofunctionalism builds on the functionalism of David Mitrany and Interdependenzansatz on. It differs from its forerunner functionalism in particular in its strong emphasis on supranational agencies for the conscious continuation of interstate integration.

The scientific understanding of this theory is empirical-analytical.

Opposing positions to neofunctionalism can be derived in particular from (neo) realism , which explains the relations between states with classical power politics, and intergovernmentalism , according to which regional integration is based solely on discretionary decisions by governments.

criticism

Critics criticize this theory for the fact that it is only applicable to the EU and that it is purely descriptive.

It is true that attempts have also been made to predict the course of integration processes and the behavior of political actors with the help of neo-functionalist assumptions. However, these attempts encounter the problems of any prediction of political and social developments, which are often significantly influenced by events not taken into account in theory. An early prime example of a case in which neo-functionalist predictions turned out to be untenable is the empty-seat policy by which France prevented the already decided transition to majority voting in the EEC . Stanley Hoffmann's criticism of neofunctionalism from an intergovernmentalist perspective was based on this.

literature

• Thomas Conzelmann: Neofunctionalism. In: Siegfried Schieder , Manuela Spindler (Ed.): Theories of International Relations (= UTB 2315). 2nd, revised edition. Budrich, Opladen et al. 2006, ISBN 3-86649-983-3 , pp. 145-174.
• Anne Faber: European integration and political science theory building. Analysis of neofunctionalism and intergovernmentalism (= research on European integration. Vol. 14). VS - Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, Wiesbaden 2005, ISBN 3-531-14479-0 .
• Claus Giering: Europe between a special purpose association and a superstate. The development of political science integration theory in the process of European integration (= Munich contributions to European unification. Vol. 1). Europa-Union-Verlag, Bonn 1997, ISBN 3-7713-0546-2 (also: Munich, University, Dissertation, 1997).
• Andreas Grimmel, Cord Jakobeit (Ed.): Political Theories of European Integration. A text and textbook. VS - Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, Wiesbaden 2009, ISBN 978-3-531-15661-3 .
• Ernst B. Haas : The Uniting of Europe. Political, Social, and Economic Forces 1950–1957. Reissued. Stanford University Press, Stanford CA 1968.
• Stanley Hoffmann : Obstinate or Obsolete? The Fate of the Nation-State and the Case of Western Europe. In: Daedalus. Journal of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences . Vol. 95, No. 3, 1966, pp. 862-915, JSTOR 20027004 .
• Ben Rosamond: Theories of European Integration. Macmillan et al., Houndmills et al. 2000, ISBN 0-333-64717-3 .
• Philippe C. Schmitter : A Revised Theory of Regional Integration. In: Leon N. Lindberg, Stuart A. Scheingold (Ed.): Regional Integration. Theory and Research. Harvard University Press, Cambridge MA 1971, ISBN 0-674-75327-5 , pp. 232-264.