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"Liberal Intergovernmentalism" published on by Oxford University Press.

Slapin (2011) and Finke et al. (2012) represent the best theory-based book-length studies of the most active period of treaty reform in the history of the European Union – from the Treaty of Amsterdam to the Treaty of Lisbon. These works offer the opportunity to assess the extent to which liberal intergovernmentalism – a 'baseline' theory of regional integration – has withstood empirical scrutiny. I first address what I consider a misinterpretation of liberal intergovernmentalism – the presumed pre-eminence given to a country's relative capability. I then identify challenges to this framework. Methodologically, they concern the measurement of preferences, value of disagreement and opportunities for linkages in treaty negotiations. I then assess evidence of lower-than-unanimity thresholds for treaty reform, which may represent a theoretical challenge. Finally, I suggest that focal points and bargaining dynamics deserve greater scholarly attention.

Slapin (2011) and Finke et al. (2012) represent the best theory-based book-length studies of the most active period of treaty reform in the history of the European Union -- from the Treaty of Amsterdam to the Treaty of Lisbon. These works offer the opportunity to assess the extent to which liberal intergovernmentalism -- a 'baseline' theory of regional integration -- has withstood empirical scrutiny. I first address what I consider a misinterpretation of liberal intergovernmentalism -- the presumed pre-eminence given to a country's relative capability. I then identify challenges to this framework. Methodologically, they concern the measurement of preferences, value of disagreement and opportunities for linkages in treaty negotiations. I then assess evidence of lower-than-unanimity thresholds for treaty reform, which may represent a theoretical challenge. Finally, I suggest that focal points and bargaining dynamics deserve greater scholarly attention. [Reprinted by permission of Sage Publications Ltd., copyright holder.]

Most intergovernmentalist analyses of European integration focus on treaty bargaining among European Union member governments. Recent articles also have examined everyday decision making through power index analysis, an approach that asserts that a government's ability to influence policy is a function of all possible coalitions in the Council of Ministers to which it is pivotal. This approach suffers from two major weaknesses. First, it fails to take into account the policy preferences of governments; it overestimates the influence of governments holding extreme preferences and underestimates that of more centrist governments. Second, power index analysis fails to consider the important roles of the Commission of the European Communities and the European Parliament in legislative processes. Today's procedures affect the mix of agenda-setting and veto power, and this has systematic effects on policy outcomes. If intergovernmentalism is to explain choices made during treaty rounds, it must take into account these legislative dynamics.

"Intergovernmentalism: Old, Liberal, and New" published on by Oxford University Press.

Eine Vielzahl intergouvernmentaler Analysen, die sich mit dem Prozeß der europäischen Integration befaßen, stellen die Vertragsverhandlungen der Mitglieder in den Mittelpunkt ihrer Untersuchungen. Neue Forschungen bedienen sich zur Klärung des Entscheidungsverhaltens eines sogenannten "power index". Diese Analyse mißt die Einflußmöglichkeit einer Regierung in Relation zu allen möglichen Koalitionen im Ministerrat, die in einer bestimmten Sachfrage von Bedeutung wären. Besonders zwei Defizite sind hierbei zu erkennen. Erstens kann sie nicht die Präferenzen von Regierungen quantifizieren und daher ihren jeweiligen Einfluß messen. Ferner läßt diese Analyse den Einfluß der weiteren Akteure, wie Kommission und Parlament gänzlich außer Acht und reduziert das Entscheidungsverhalten auf die Exekutive unter Ausschluß legislativer Faktoren. (SWP-Krh)