The EU, NATO and the Integration of Europe: Rules and Rhetoric

Description

Why did Western European states agree to the enlargement of the EU and NATO? Frank Schimmelfennig analyzes the history of the enlargement process and develops a theoretical approach of 'rhetorical action' to explain why it occurred. While rationalist theory explains the willingness of East European states to join the NATO and EU, it does not explain why member states decided to admit them. Using original data, Schimmelfennig shows that expansion to the East can be understood in terms of liberal democratic community building. Drawing on the works of Jon Elster and Erving Goffman, he demonstrates that the decision to expand was the result of rhetorical action. Candidates and their supporters used arguments based on collective identity, norms and values of the Western community to shame opponents into acquiescing to enlargement. This landmark book makes an enormous contribution to theory in international relations and to the study of European politics.

Frank Schimmelfennig is a Fellow of the Mannheim Center for European Social Research, Germany.

'... the book provides valuable information for people interested in two major theories of international relations in practice. ... Schimmelfennig gives a deep insight in the process and the outcomes of NATO and EU enlargement as such and develops a theoretical approach that seems applicable to future Western organizations' enlargement decisions.' Steve Schwarzer, European Societies '... this study is a significant and valuable contribution to the rationalist-constructivist debate in IR'. International Affairs 'Frank Schimmelfennig has steadily been making a name for himself over the years as a thoughtful and creative contributor to International Relations theory and European Studies. This work will confirm his status as a scholar of originality and insight. ... this book is a model of problem-driven but theoretically informed social science. It is thorough and systematic in its treatment of the subject matter; explicit in its theoretical assumptions; and incorporates new empirical data. ... an important and timely book. ... His book deserves to be widely read and discussed.' European Foreign Affairs Review '... a rich volume offering many insights. It is a credible effort to tease out something new from the examination of the two major theoretical schools of thought in IR. This book is recommended for every student of European integration theories who seeks to bridge the rationalist-constructivist divide while gaining further insights into the enlargement issue.' Journal of International Relations and Development