European Integration: Neo-Functionalism of the 1960s

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Table of Contents

Introduction
The concept of spillover
Conclusion
References

Introduction

One of the major conceptions of the neo-functionalism of the 1960s has been the coinage of the concept of spillover which meant to justify the process of European integration. The concept denotes that the inner dynamics which demand the members of a local system to either enhance the extent or enlarge the level of their mutual commitments or both. To clarify, spillover can be well comprehended as a method whereby “a given action, related to a specific goal, creates a situation in which the original goal can be assured only by taking further actions, which in turn create a further condition and a need for more, and so forth” (Lindberg, 1963. p 9). A central question in the understanding of spillover has been whether it implies that there are no limits to the number of policies that can be dealt with at the European level and this paper seeks to respond to this pertinent question.

The concept of spillover

In responding to this pertinent question concerning the validity of spillover in the political integration of the European states, it is important to comprehend that the political spillover is evaluated to be less impractical compared to other types of spillover such as functional spillover or cultivated spillover. The efficiency of the spillover and its success in the European integration in much debated. Whereas there are theorists who consider the practicality in the implementation of spillover, a large number of political thinkers consider the concept to be less practical. Remarkably, political integration does not indicate a process through which the national policymakers attempt to create sovereign foreign, security, and defense policies but it is a framework for them to take up initiatives, resources, and devotion. The chief among the many spillover barriers is the fact that “political integration is more time consuming, less possible than economic one because of lack of functional motivation of interest groups in nonformal financing of this process. According to that, political integration is not a logical next stage for economic integration.” (Verbal, p, 8-9). In this background, it is clear that political integration is not a very successful concept and there are limits to which policies can be dealt with at the European level.

It is also significant to note that the concept of spillover can be best understood in the background of European integration and the inclusion of policies in the union is limited by factors that make the political integration less successful. There are various conditions for the success of spillover in the European integration which limits the number of policies that can be integrated with the union of European states. “Most theories of regional integration reckon two conditions, economic cooperation and (at least a minimum set of) common institutions, as necessary for the integration to proceed.” (Malamud 2005). This has its impact on the policies that can be dealt with at the European level.

Conclusion

Thus, it is significant, in conclusion, to note that the concept of spillover does not imply that the limitless number of policies can be integrated for consideration at the European level. The political integration of Europe is far from realizing and the spillover can be effectively conceived only at a later stage where European integration is complete. Therefore, there needs to be a specific condition set, for the unlimited number of policies to be dealt with at the European level which is yet to be created.

References

Lindberg, Leon N., 1963. The Political Dynamics of European Economic Integration. Stanford: Stanford University Press, p. 9.

MALAMUD, Andrés. (2005). Spill over in European and South American Integration. A Comparative Evaluation. [online]. CIES e-Working Paper. Web.

VEEBEL, Viljar. (2002). Spill over Barrier in the Process of European Integration. [online]. EuroCollege Working Papers. No.5. p, 8-9. Web.

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European Integration: Neo-Functionalism of the 1960s

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