This volume assesses the merits of institutionalist research on the European Union. It offers a comprehensive review of the field and detailed analytical studies of diverse decision making processes and policies. It engages the different strands in institutionalism in serious dialogue. Proponents of rationalist, historical and sociological tendencies present original research and criticize each other's contributions in constructive ways. The book concentrates on the creation and maintenance of rules as well as the impact of these institutions in particular fields. It examines the dominating paradigm in integration studies and offers a comprehensive review of institutionalist research and contains detailed empirical studies.
Mark Aspinwall is Lecturer in Politics and European Studies at the University of Durham.
Gerald Schneider is Professor of Political Science at the Faculty of Public Policy and Management at the University of Konstanz, and Executive Editor of European Union Politics.