Deepening and widening integration theory

Abstract:

Theories of European integration have traditionally been inward-oriented and presented difficulties in coping with the issue of whether the EU constitutes only a single case. Theoretically oriented research on enlargement offers the possibility of helping us to arrive at generalisable knowledge. However, traditional dichotomies of scientific discourse tend to favour the mutual ignorance of empirical facts and prevent the establishment of better theories and cumulative knowledge.