Intergovernmentalism: A Realistic Analysis of European Integration

As a reaction to E.B.Haas and L.Lindburg’s Neofuntionalist explanation of European Integration, Hoffmann put forward an alternative analysis which he deemed more “realistic” in what concerned the role of states in the EU; Intergovernmentalism. He made two main points on the matter; the first was that national governments of European member countries are “uniquely powerful actors” and only make decisions aligned with their national interests. In simple terms this meant that national government decided on their own and for their own sake to join the EU or approve of a policy. Therefore disaccording with the neofunctionalist theory of the aforementioned “spillover effect”. The second statement; the integration process has limits refuting with

It is how conflicting interests between EU states are resolved in the Council of Ministers forum. Moravcsik sees states as being single rational unitary actors, speaking with one voice and making decisions after having weighted the pros and cons to decide if settlements among EU states favor their interests. The addition to the renewed theory is that IL claims that the final decision of bargaining (step two) is adopted relatively to the power of each party and more precisely the will to back down. In other words LI argues that the state with less to lose (with less remorse if deal is not made) from walking away from the negotiation has a stronger bargaining position and is more likely to achieve objectives set. Which can explain the empty chair crisis between 1965 and

Though it's not a very simple one. Neofunctionlism is not obsolete in its entirety for several elements still live on today. It's a conflict between protecting and cherishing national interest against maintaining economic and political prosperity within an increasingly sovereign institution. Intergovernmentalism was born to disprove neofunctionalism, yet saw the same fate in the 1990's in an attempt to foresee Europe's future. Intergovernmentalism was later on reborn with a liberal aspect to take national interest even further. So as goes for most theories, they have their specific following and none of them can assure to always ring true in an ever changing