This major new text provides a uniquely broad ranging introduction to, and assessment of the contribution of, the whole range of theoretical approaches that have been applied to the analysis of European integration. It provides tools for understanding the underlying logic behind the political and economic debates that take place in the EU today.

Introduction PART I: WHY INTEGRATE? THEORIES OF INTEGRATION 1. Original Debates 2. Neofunctionalism 3. Intergovernmentalism PART II: MAINSTREAMING EUROPEAN STUDIES 4. Institutionalisms 5. Governance 6. Europeanization 7. Constructivism 8. Sociological perspectives on European integration 9. Political theory PART III: THE EUROPEAN UNION AND THE WORLD 10. International relations and European integration 11. Regionalism Conclusion.

'An extraordinarily useful map of the state of the art on European integration which masterfully relates scholarship not just from international relations and comparative politics but sociology and political theory too. Everyone interested in the European Union, from students to established scholars, will benefit from this clear, faithful, and comprehensive survey.' - Craig Parsons, University of Oregon, USA 'As the study of the EU is becoming increasingly specialized and compartmentalized, this book accomplishes two seemingly impossible quests: it offers a comprehensive and contextualized but - at the same time - concise and highly readable account of the various theories and frameworks that allow us to capture the multifaceted quality of the EU; but, even more admirably, Saurugger convincingly shows that the study of the EU has been at its most innovative when scholars have abandoned their cosy sub-disciplinary homes to look for inspiration in other disciplinary turfs. What a tour de force!' - Berthold Rittberger, University of Munich, Germany.

An extraordinarily useful map of the state of the art on European integration which masterfully relates scholarship not just from international relations and comparative politics but sociology and political theory too. Everyone interested in the European Union, from students to established scholars, will benefit from this clear, faithful, and comprehensive survey.' - Craig Parsons, University of Oregon, USA 'As the study of the EU is becoming increasingly specialized and compartmentalized, this book accomplishes two seemingly impossible quests: it offers a comprehensive and contextualized but - at the same time - concise and highly readable account of the various theories and frameworks that allow us to capture the multifaceted quality of the EU; but, even more admirably, Saurugger convincingly shows that the study of the EU has been at its most innovative when scholars have abandoned their cosy sub-disciplinary homes to look for inspiration in other disciplinary turfs. What a tour de force!' - Berthold Rittberger, University of Munich, Germany.