Module on the European Union in International Relations

Amanda Cook Fesperman

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/101873 Copy

Description

Title

Module on the European Union in International Relations

Author(s)

Amanda Cook Fesperman

Issue Date

2018

Keyword(s)

• European Union
• International Relations
• Functionalism
• Neo-functionalism
• Intergovernmental Organizations

Geographic Coverage

European Union

Abstract

The study of international relations includes a section on intergovernmental organizations. The history, growth and purpose of these organizations derives from two schools of thought: functionalism and neo-functionalism. Functionalism describes organizations that that start out cooperating on a narrow set of political issues and then expand from there to include broader set of issues. In the beginning, this “bottom-up,” evolutionary approach begins with limited, pragmatic cooperation on narrow, nonpolitical issues. Neo-functionalism, then, states that IGOs are created from a more top-down approach. IGOs are given them the resources and the authority they need to address central global problems, then in time countries and their people will learn to trust and govern through these IGOs. The European Union is an example of an IGO that was born out of functionalism but has now evolved into a neo-functional organization. By teaching students the history and evolution of the EU, I will be able to demonstrate these important theories in International Relations, and broaden their understanding of the European Union itself, as an important and vibrant IGO.

Type of Resource

• text
• other

Language

en

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/101873

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