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The Theoretical Predicament of European Integration: Why Has the EU Not Overcome the Nation-state?

发布时间:2020年05月05日 16:04  

Authors: LIANG Xuecun

Source: Chinese Journal of European Studies, Vol.38, No.1, 2020


Abstract: The founding fathers of European integration believed that economic cooperation and its functional spillover were to lead to political integration and the end of nation-state.However,the resurgence of nationalism and populism in major EU countries after the 2008 financial crisis indicates that nation-states are far from obsolete.Why are nation-states so obstinate or resilient?  What are the factors sustaining them in the face of the continuous erosion of functional integration? This paper endeavors to answer these questions by revisiting the historical background against which David Mitrany put forward the functionalist approach and points out that European integration has never obtained the theoretical guarantee for the demise of nation-state and for the realization of in-depth political integration.It was the chronic misreading of Mitrany that obfuscated the ultimate goal of European integration and preset the enmity between nation -state and supranational cooperation. The author argues that the achievement of the project of European integration in the past half century is de- pendent upon the solid political foundations laid down by the nation-states.In sum,the nation-states will not be overcome in the absence of the replacement of the essential political functions that they have persistently undertaken.


Editor: Huang Dong

Editor in charge: Liao kai


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