Wolfgang Wessels

An Ever Closer Fusion? A Dynamic Macropolitical View on Integration Processes†

To explain the evolution of the EU, a macropolitical approach using overall aggregate data is taken. Four dynamic views are tested: the neofunctional/neofederal assumption of linear growth; the realist view of decline; the governance/pendulum view of cyclical up and down; and the fusion thesis view of structural growth and differentiation. The article uses five indicators: binding outputs; scope enlargement of public policies; transfer of competencies; institutional growth and procedural differentiation; and involvement of intermediary groups in channels of influence. The data point to trends of merging public resources at several state levels, leading to increasing complexities, a lack of transparency and difficulties in reversing the development. This ever closer fusion is explained as a dynamic product of rational strategies of European welfare states faced with growing interdependencies and spillovers, furthered by the institutional logics of EU bodies. Criticized for the lack of legitimacy and the entailing of national democratic constitutions, this new polity may be perceived as a new stage in the evolution of European state and—more open to critical debate—a novel form of representative government.

Comitology: fusion in action. Politico-administrative trends in the EU system

Studying the administrative infrastructure of the EU is an intriguing affair. Comitology committees, in particular, are significant indicators for analysing and assessing the evolution of the EUs administrative system. Relevant integration-related theories, however, offer several diverging analyses and assessments of their function and significance. Some of the existing empirical data denote considerable growth in administrative participation and a significant differentiation of procedures and forms, indicating a considerable Europeanization of national administrations. Insights into the behavioural patterns within committees indicate an interactive style in which the fundamental constitutional issues and the exact legal form are controversial, but where daily routine is characterized by business-like workings based on technocratic expertise and camaraderie, and geared to consensus among civil servants from several levels. Comparing realist, federalist, neo-functionalist and functionalist approaches, as ...

Staat und (westeuropäische) Integration. Die Fusionsthese

„Staat“ und „Integration“ sind zentrale Untersuchungsobjekte politologischer, sozial- und rechtswissenschaftlicher Forschungen. Wenn diese Arbeiten dazu dienen sollen, die Entwicklungen der Europaischen Gemeinschaft (EG) und westeuropaischer Staaten in der Nachkriegszeit zu erklaren, dann ist ein theoretischer Ansatz zu erarbeiten, der nicht bei „statischen“ Modellen bzw. Momentaufnahmen des Integrationsgeschehens stehenbleibt, sondern zumindest „komparativ-statisch“ arbeitet; anzustreben ist aber letztendlich eine „dynamische“ Theorie, die Erklarungen fur Wachstums- und Differenzierungsprozesse und nicht nur bestenfalls vergleichende Zustandsbeschreibungen liefert.

Nice Results: The Millennium IGC in the EU's Evolution

Analysing the Treaty of Nice from a dynamic perspective we observe that the major decisions on institutions and procedures are part of an historical evolution of the EU’s ‘legal constitution’; in quantitative terms the Nice results extended fundamental trends of the European process over the last 50 years. By increasing the complexity of the procedures and the modes of governance, the masters of the Treaty have again taken decisions according to a pattern which I characterize as a three-step model of ‘ratchet fusion’.

Der Vertrag von Lissabon – eine tragfähige und abschließende Antwort auf konstitutionelle Grundfragen?

The Treaty of Lisbon presents itself as the answer to three key constitutional questions: How should the division of competencies between the Union and the member states best be defined? How can actors be positioned and procedures be structured to increase the Union’s capacity to act? What provisions will make the EU system ‚more democratic‘ and thereby increase its legitimacy? In answering these questions the member states are faced with a number of structural dilemmas. A series of changes to the existing provisions is expected to lead to increased efficiency as well as more democratic participation and controls within individual institutions and procedures. It is uncertain, however, if these effects will prove mutually reinforcing or if, on the contrary, they will turn out to be counterproductive in combination. The underlying constitutional problems and questions are not conclusively addressed by the Lisbon Treaty.

Die Europäische Union in der Währungskrise: Eckdaten und Schlüsselentscheidungen

Auch wenn die europapolitische Berichterstattung die Europäische Union mit großer Regelmäßigkeit in einer Krise sieht, ist die derzeitige Notlage der gemeinsamen Währung von besonderer Dramatik. Tatsächlich stellt die andauernde Krise die Existenz der europäischen Wirtschaftsund Währungsunion (WWU) infrage und gefährdet damit auch wesentliche Fundamente der Europäischen Union: Die zum Teil in langen Nachtsitzungen getroffenen Entscheidungen der Staatsund Regierungschefs laufen auf eine umfassende Neugestaltung der WWU und ihres politischen Rahmens hinaus. Während über das Ende der Krise Ende 2011 nur spekuliert werden kann, ist davon auszugehen, dass Form und Intensität der Reaktionen auf diese Herausforderung gravierende Auswirkungen auf die Politikbereiche und die Institutionen der Europäischen Union, auf die Mitgliedstaaten der Eurozone (Eurostaaten), aber auch auf andere EU-Mitgliedstaaten haben werden.

Beamtengremien im EU-Mehrebenensystem — Fusion von Administrationen?

Unverkennbar gehort zur Beschreibung und Erklarung des „Regierens in der Union“ eine intensive Beschaftigung mit der Rolle von Beamten. Ungeachtet der Funktionen anderer Akteursgruppen, wie Verbanden und NGOs, wird EG-Beamten2 und „Staatsdienern“ aus nationalen Administrationen eine nachhaltige Rolle sowohl beim Auf- und Ausbau des EU-Systems insgesamt als auch bei der taglichen Praxis ublicher Politikprozesse zugeschrieben3. Breit gestreute Beobachtungen der Verhaltens- und Entscheidungsmuster der EU dokumentieren eine umfassende und nachhaltige Beteiligung von Verwaltungen in jedem Politikfeld und zudem in jeder Phase des Politikzyklus. Gleichzeitig ist aus Studien zu den drei Saulen des EU-Systems4 und zu einzelnen Vertragskapiteln bekannt, dass erhebliche Variationen bei den realen Formen politisch-administrativen Regierens bestehen. In der Gemeinsamen Ausen- und Sicherheitspolitik (GASP) sind andere rechtliche Vorgaben und reale Verhaltensmuster von Beamten der unterschiedlichen Ebenen zu beobachten als bei der traditionellen „Gemeinschaftsmethode“ (Kommission 2001a: 11) oder bei der „Methode der offenen Koordinierung“ (Kommission 2001a: 28–29) bzw.

New Modes of Governance Policy Developments and the Hidden Steps of EU Integration

The discussion of new modes of governance in the European Union has attracted a great deal of attention from both academic and political audiences in recent years (Zurn 2000; Tommel 2007; Borzel 2007b). The introduction of the Open Method of Coordination (OMC), originally praised as a fresh and bold step towards integrating new policy areas into the spectrum of EU activities, has been very much at the core of the debate (Hodson and Maher 2001). But, in addition, other unorthodox developments have been taken as signs of the fact that the classical Community Method is being accompanied or even replaced by innovative and experimental methods of decision-making, in fields such as freedom, security and justice, with its highly mixed and differentiated combination of first and third pillar components (Monar and Dahmani 2007), the expansion of soft law in defining formal and informal policy instruments, the rising importance of private actors in shaping and implementing EU policies or the growth in agencies as a result of an increasing delegation of tasks and competencies. The term ‘new modes of governance’ has become a much-used catchword for changes in the fabric of EU decision-making, whose actual scope and importance, however, have not as yet become fully clear.

Germany in Europe: return of the nightmare or towards an engaged Germany in a new Europe?

Especially since (re-)unification, perceptions of Germany alternate between the fear of the return of the German hegemon and – at the same time – the diametrically opposed call for more German leadership based on Germanys outstanding pro-European engagement. Nonetheless, Germanys foreign policy has changed little since 1989: it is still cautious rather than assertive. Due to Germanys experience with the two world wars, German foreign policy places great value on the enlargement as well as the deepening of the EU. In sum, Germany can best be characterised as a normal and engaged European state.

Walter Hallstein : the forgotten European?

Forewords by Helmut Kohl, Jacques Delors & Sir Edward Heath - Notes on the Contributors - Introduction - PART ONE: THE STATE SECRETARY - Walter Hallstein as State Secretary L.Lahn - Remembering Walter Hallstein J.Jaenicke - Hallsteins Conception of German-German Policy and Relations W.G.Grewe - Walter Hallstein and the Negotiations on the Treaties of Rome 1955-1957 H.J.Kusters - Hallsteins Conception of Europe before Assuming Office in the Commission F.Barenbrinker - PART TWO: THE PRESIDENT OF THE EEC COMMISSION - Walter Hallstein as President of the Commission H.von der Groeben - Walter Hallstein and the Early Phase of the EEC K-H.Narjes - Walter Hallstein: A Personal Testimony E.Noel - Hallstein and de Gaulle: The Disastrous Confrontation W.Loth - The Crisis of 1965-1966 H.H.Gotz - PART THREE: THE EUROPEAN IN RETROSPECT - Walter Hallstein after the Presidency T.Jansen - Walter Hallstein: The British Perspective W.Wallace - Walter Hallstein and the Anglo-Saxon World A.Herbst - Walter Hallstein: the French Perspective J.Monar - Walter Hallsteins Contribution to Integration Theory: Outdated or Underestimated? W.Wessels - Index