The political ontology of European integration

Author (Person)
Series Title
Series Details Vol.8, No.1, April 2010, p19-36
Publication Date December 2009
ISSN 1472-4790
Content Type

Abstract:
How does EU research define the basic elements of the political realm? What are the underlying construction presuppositions of the European Union as an object of knowledge? In this article, I will discuss the political ontology of the European Union through an analysis of two ideal-typical positions, an exclusive and an inclusive (or reflexive) ontological framework. I will argue that the exclusive ontological framework and the dualisms it reproduces (objective-subjective, individual-institution, socialization-calculation, interest-norm, supranational-national and so on) prevents a great deal of research from elaborating a more complex, 'thick' empirical description of EU integration. The alternative, inclusive and reflexive framework seeks to go beyond these dualisms to develop a relational approach that takes into account the interactive character of institutions and the individuals and groups inhabiting them.

This article is part of a special issue 'Mainstreaming sociology in EU studies'.

Source Link http://www.palgrave-journals.com/
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Countries / Regions