The Institutionalization of Europe

In 1950, a European political space existed, if only as a very primitive site of international governance. Today, the European Union governs in an ever-growing number of policy domains. Increasingly dense networks of transnational actors representing electorates, member state governments, firms, and specialized interests operate in arenas that are best understood as supranational. At the same time, the capacity of European organizations - the Bank, the Commission, and the Court of Justice - to make authoritative policy decisions has steadily expanded, profoundly transforming the very nature of the European polity. This book, a companion volume to European Integration and Supranational Governance, offers readers a sophisticated theoretical account of this transformation, as well as original empirical research. The editors elaborate an innovative synthesis of institutionalist theory that contributors use to explain the sources and consequences of the emergence and institutionalization of European political arenas. Some chapters examine the evolution of integration and supranational governance across time and policy domain. Others recount more discrete episodes, including: the development of women's rights, the judicial review of administrative acts, a stable system of interest group representation, and enhanced cooperation in foreign policy and security; the creation of the European Central Bank; the emergence of new policy competences, such as for policing and immigration; and the multi-dimensional impact of European policies on national modes of governance.

Table of Contents:
1: Alec Stone Sweet, Neil Fligstein, And Wayne Sandholtz: The Institutionalization Of European Space 2: Neil Fligstein And Alec Stone Sweet: Institutionalizing The Treaty Of Rome 3: Adrienne Héritier: Overt And Covert Institutionalization In Europe 4: Sonia Mazey And Jeremy Richardson: Institutionalizing Promiscuity: Commission/Interest Group Relations In The EU 5: Martin Shapiro: The Institutionalization Of European Administrative Space 6: Rachel A. Cichowski: Judicial Rulemaking And The Institutionalization Of EU Sex Equality Policy 7: Patrick Le Galès: Est Maître Des Lieux Celui Qui Les Organise: When National And European Policy Domains Collide 8: Kathleen R. Mcnamara: Where Do Rules Come From? The Creation Of The European Central Bank 9: Michael E. Smith: The Quest For Coherence: Institutional Dilemmas Of External Action From Maastricht To Amsterdam Penelope Turnbull And Wayne Sandholtz: Policing And Immigration: The Creation Of New Policy Spaces 10: James A. Caporaso And Alec Stone Sweet: Conclusion: Institutional Logics Of European Integration

Review :
An impressive line-up of contributors ... the book is an important contribution to the literature and should be engaged by advanced students and scholars alike.