Contesting Political Differentiation

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-x

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2. Introduction: The Predicaments of Differentiation

   • Erik O. Eriksen

   Pages 1-22

3. Autonomy Versus Arbitrary Rule

   • Erik O. Eriksen

   Pages 23-55

4. A Politically Differentiated Europe

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 57-57

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   2. Dimensions of Political Differentiation in Europe

      • Erik O. Eriksen

      Pages 59-69

   3. Dominance Through Segmentation

      • Erik O. Eriksen

      Pages 71-91

   4. Hegemony Through Self-Inflicted Subservience

      • Erik O. Eriksen

      Pages 93-119

   5. Contested Multilateral Dominance

      • Erik O. Eriksen

      Pages 121-156

5. Overcoming Illicit Divergence

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 157-157

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   2. Constituting Power in Europe

      • Erik O. Eriksen

      Pages 159-190

   3. Structural Injustice and the Paradigm of Solidarity

      • Erik O. Eriksen

      Pages 191-217

   4. Differentiation as a Vehicle of Integration

      • Erik O. Eriksen

      Pages 219-257

   5. Conclusion

      • Erik O. Eriksen

      Pages 259-266

6. Back Matter

   Pages 267-271

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This book discusses the causes and nature of political differentiation in Europe. It deals with the normative problem of differentiated integration, both in its vertical and horizontal dimensions, and addresses the problem of differentiation through a theory of democratic autonomy and dominance.  A politically differentiated EU could deprive people of their right to co-determine common affairs and have adverse effects for democratic self-rule. It could also take away the people’s ability to influence political decisions that they are ultimately affected by. This book argues that differentiation is not an innocent instrument for handling conflicts in interconnected contexts. The consequences of what might be a benign plea for sovereignty and independence can in fact lead to the opposite.

• European integration
• vertical differentiation
• horizontal differentiation
• differentiated Europe
• democratic rule
• autonomy
• sovereignty
• segmentation
• hegemony
• loose couplings
• EEA agreement
• partnership
• constitutionalism
• regional cosmopolitanism
• federalism
• eurozone
• structural injustice
• duties of solidarity
• Brexit
• democratic integration

“In arguing that political differentiation is not an innocent and normatively neutral tool of European integration but unavoidably leads to segmentation, hegemony and domination and thus subverts any normatively meaningful conception of the integration process, Eriksen presents a major challenge to mainstream integration theory and practice. The book offers a vigorous normative analysis and vision, is circumspectly and persuasively argued and thus provides an irresistible invitation to engage with it for anyone concerned about the current state of European affairs and their future prospects.” (Rainer Schmalz-Bruns, Leibniz University Hannover, Germany)

“By demonstrating that differentiation presents some major flaws that should not be ignored by its advocates, Eriksen, one of the world-leading scholars in European democratic theory, makes an essential contribution to the debate on the future of European integration.” (Benjamin Leruth, Institute for Governance and Policy Analysis, University of Canberra, Australia)

 

• ARENA Centre for European Studies, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

  Erik O. Eriksen

Erik O. Eriksen is Professor of Political Science and Director of ARENA – Centre for European Studies at the University of Oslo, Norway. His main research fields are political theory, democratic governance, public policy and European integration. His publications include the following books: The Normativity of the European Union (2014) and The European Union’s Non-Members: Independence under Hegemony (co-edited with John Erik Fossum, 2015).

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