International studies, Vol. IX No. 2, 2009.
Review article
Decision Making Processes and Power Relations: Searching for the European Constitution
Luka Brkić
; Faculty of Political Sciences, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Dario Butković
; Faculty of Political Sciences, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Complexity has always been a problem for those trying to understand the dynamics of European integration. What is the structure of the political space in which decision making actors operate in the European Union? Are there consistent alignments of actors? Liberal intergovernmentalism may be better equipped to explain "major turning points" in European integration than how the system works on a daily basis for which a form of institutionalism may be more useful. An organisational approach could increase our understanding of politics, policies and identity formation in settings that are organisationally well developed.
Keywords
EU; theory of complexity; liberal intergovernmentalism; institutional approach; organizational approach; formal and informal institutions; primary and secondary organizations; COREPER
Hrčak ID:
291363
URI
Publication date:
1.6.2009.
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