Neofunctionalism

Under neofunctionalism refers to a political science theory in the subfield of international relations. Its subject is the explanation of the superposition of the nation states by supranational cooperation.

Basic assumptions and development

The most important application is the neofunktionalistische theory of regional integration of Ernst B. Haas, who founded the neofunctionalism in his book "The Uniting of Europe" quasi.

The basic assumptions of the neofunctionalism are:

• Once begun cooperation between States to develop a momentum of its own;
• Institutions dominate;
• The beginning of the integration was the trigger for further cooperation.

Of central importance for the course of the integration process is the " radiating " the integration of a limited field of politics or a single institution to other policies and / or the development of other institutions. This development is called spill-over, and between functional spill-over ( economic cooperation triggers off) and political spill-over ( existing large institutions are the trigger for further integration ) is distinguished.

In the years and especially in the field of European integration, the theory of neofunctionalism developed further as meaning that the importance of autonomous governance as an explanatory variable was further restricted. The reason given was that unilateral action could show negative consequences already and that the nation-state actors through networking society actors such as trade unions and other NGOs, the control of international decision-making processes gradually slip away. This is represented among others by Alec Stone Sweet and Wayne sand wood.

The logic, according to this momentum, it can theoretically be no " deconstruction " of regional integration; all steps of the integration once adopted are therefore irreversible.

Position within the International Relations

Neofunktionalistische approaches have so far performs within the major theories of international relations, liberalism and idealism, as the characteristics of the relations between states on social groups are returned within the same; However, at the same time there are points of contact for institutionalism. Likewise, there are similar approaches in feminist perspective on international politics.

The neofunctionalism builds on the functionalism of David Mitrany and the Interdependenzansatz. From the precursor functionalism it differs especially in its strong emphasis supranational agencies for confident continuation of intergovernmental integration.

The scientific understanding of this theory is empirical- analytical.

Contrarian neofunctionalism can be particular from the ( neo) realism, which explains the relationships between states with traditional power politics, and intergovernmentalism, which states that regional integration is based solely on the discretionary decisions of governments derive.

Criticism

Critics of this theory is that it is applicable only to the EU and that it has a purely descriptive character.

While it was certainly also attempt to predict the course of integration processes and the behavior of political actors herein using neofunktionalistischen assumptions. However, these attempts encounter the problems of each prediction of political and social developments, which are often heavily influenced by the theory of unrecognized events. An early prime example of a case in which neofunktionalistische predictions turned out to be untenable is the policy of the empty chair, with France prevented the transition already decided to majority voting in the EEC. Upon this also supported the criticism directed against the neofunctionalism Stanley Hoffmann from intergouvernementalistischer perspective.