THE EUROPEAN UNION IN THE LIGHT OF COMPARATIVE POLITICS
https://doi.org/10.18611/2221-3279-2012-3-2(8)-64-72
Abstract
Abstract: In the academic literature the European Union (EU) is analysed from different theoretical perspectives. Taking the perspective of international relations, the EU emerges as an international organization or a confederation; on the other hand, looking from the perspective of comparative politics, the EU presents itself as a more integrated entity, a federation, a quasi-state or a state in the making. The recent perspective, i.e. the governance school, sees the EU as an original structure, a sui generis entity, a new, emerging system of governance without government. However, at the present stage of development, the EU reveals features that are characteristic for the federal structure, i.e. the federal political system characterised by two leading models of dual and cooperative federalism, hence the comparative method seems to be the most appropriate as a research tool.
References
1. Kielmansegg P.G. Integration und Demokratie/ Europäische Integration, M. Jachtenfuchs, B. Kohler-Koch (Hrsg.), Laske+Budrich, Opladen 1996. P. 55; see also: Kielmansegg P.G., Lässt sich die Europäische Union demokratisch verfassen?/ Die Verfassung Europas. Perspektiven des Integrationsprojekts, F. Decker, M. Höreth (Hrsg.), VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, Wiesbaden 2009. P. 228.
2. Kabat D., Rudnicki Z. “Integracja międzynarodowa: Problemy konceptualizacji i definicji” Prace z zakresu spraw europejskich i międzynarodowych, Zeszyty Naukowe nr 795, Uniwersytet Ekonomiczny w Krakowie, Kraków 2009. P. 57-101.
3. Pollack M.A. Theorizing the European Union: International Organization, Domestic Polity, or Experiment in New Governance/ Annu. Rev. Polit. Sci. — 2005. — Vol. 8. P. 380 et seq.
4. Elazar D.J. The Federal Polity. New Brunswick, New Jersey: Transaction Books, 1974. P. 4; see also: Forsyth M. Union of States: The Theory and Practice of Confederation. Leicester: Leicester University Press, 1981. P. 2.
5. Watts R.L. Federalism, regionalism and political integration/ Regionalism and Supranationalism. Challenges and Alternatives to the Nation-State in Canada and Europe. Ed. by D.M. Cameron. Montreal: Institute for Research and Public Policy, 1981. P. 4-5.
6. Abromeit H. Contours of a European Federation// Regional and Federal Studies. 2002 (Spring). Vol. 12. No. 1. P. 5.
7. Watts R.L. Origins of Cooperative and Competitive Federalism/ Territory, Democracy and Justice. Regionalism and Federalism in Western Democracies. Ed. by S.L. Greer. N.Y.: Palgrave Macmillan, 2006. P. 201–202; see also: Watts R.L. Comparing Federal Systems. 3rd ed. Montreal, Kingston, London, Ithaca: McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2008. P. 8.
8. Elazar D.J., Greilsammer I. Federal Democracy: The USA and Europe Compared. A Political Science Perspective/ Integration through Law. Europe and the American Federal Experience. Ed. by M. Cappelletti, M. Seccombe, J. Weiler. Vol. 1, Methods, Tools and Institutions, book 1, A Political, Legal and Economic Overview. N. Y.: Walter de Gruyter, Berlin, 1986. P. 90.
9. Schütze R. The Morphology of Legislative Power in the European Community: Legal Instruments and Federal Division of Powers/ Yearbook of European law. 2006. Vol. 25. P. 91-151.
10. art.2 TFUE till art.6 TFUE. Under the Lisbon treaty there is no distinction between the Community and the Union, since the Union replaced and succeeded the European Community and became its legal successor (see: art.1 TUE).
11. Gunlicks A. The Länder and German Federalism. Manchester, N.Y.: Manchester University Press, 2003. P. 385.
12. Schütze R. From Dual to Cooperative Federalism. The Changing Structure of European Law. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009. P. 100.
13. Starr-Deelen D., Deelen B. The European Court of Justice as a Federator/ Publius. — 1996 (Fall). — Vol. 26. No. 4. P. 83.
14. Pech L. The European Union and its constitution: from Rome to Lisbon. Dublin: Clarus Press, 2008. P. 89-90.
Review
For citations:
Kabat-Rudnicka D. THE EUROPEAN UNION IN THE LIGHT OF COMPARATIVE POLITICS. Comparative Politics Russia. 2012;3(2(8)):64-72. https://doi.org/10.18611/2221-3279-2012-3-2(8)-64-72
Views:
999
Email this article 
