Integration, Differentiation and Fragmentation in Europe

“Differentiated integration” has become a much-discussed option in the debate on EU reform and an important subject in research on European integration and policy-making. Apart from formal differentiations in EU treaties and laws, we also observe a variety of informal differentiations and fragmentations among member states and societies. It is important to understand under which conditions differentiation is conducive to a more effective, cohesive and democratic EU. Dimensions to consider are compatibility with the core principles of the EU’s constitutionalism and identity, sustainability in terms of governance and acceptance by EU citizens, Member States and affected third partners. We invite proposals for Panels (complete with 3-4 Papers, a Discussant and a Chair) and individual Papers on all aspects of differentiation and fragmentation in European integration: ● normative analyses establishing criteria for “good” and “accountable” differentiation and reviewing existing forms of differentiated integration; ● conceptual analyses of differentiation and fragmentation and their relationship to integration ● contributions to theory-building on differentiated integration; ● historical analysis of previous experiences and ideas of differentiation and their connections to political, institutional and societal challenges; ● narrative analysis on European constitutionalism and identity and effects of differentiation; ● empirical analyses of the causes and effects of differentiation as well as the uses of differentiation in policy-making; ● studies on public opinion on differentiated integration as well as on party and government preferences and strategies; and ● policy-oriented work making and assessing proposals and scenarios for differentiated integration. We also welcome comparative regional analyses of differentiation in the EU with federal systems and other international organizations as well as analysis of modes of differentiation in the EU’s relations with third countries.