Challenges to liberal intergovernmentalism

Slapin (2011) and Finke et al. (2012) represent the best theory-based book-length studies of the most active period of treaty reform in the history of the European Union – from the Treaty of Amsterdam to the Treaty of Lisbon. These works offer the opportunity to assess the extent to which liberal in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inEuropean Union politics Vol. 14; no. 2; pp. 324 - 337
Main Author Franchino, Fabio
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published London, England SAGE Publications 01.06.2013
Subjects
Bargaining
European Union
Intergovernmentalism
International relations
Liberals
Negotiation
Reform
Regional integration
Treaties
institutional affairs
international relations
unanimity
intergovernmentalism
Bargaining
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Summary:Slapin (2011) and Finke et al. (2012) represent the best theory-based book-length studies of the most active period of treaty reform in the history of the European Union – from the Treaty of Amsterdam to the Treaty of Lisbon. These works offer the opportunity to assess the extent to which liberal intergovernmentalism – a ‘baseline’ theory of regional integration – has withstood empirical scrutiny. I first address what I consider a misinterpretation of liberal intergovernmentalism – the presumed pre-eminence given to a country’s relative capability. I then identify challenges to this framework. Methodologically, they concern the measurement of preferences, value of disagreement and opportunities for linkages in treaty negotiations. I then assess evidence of lower-than-unanimity thresholds for treaty reform, which may represent a theoretical challenge. Finally, I suggest that focal points and bargaining dynamics deserve greater scholarly attention.
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ISSN:1465-1165
1741-2757
DOI:10.1177/1465116512465133