Theory of European Bund

Abstract

This thesis lays down in seven chapters a revised theoretical foundation for European integration - the theory of European Bund. Relying on a social constructivist meta-theoretical methodological approach, it starts off with an observation that European integration, as a social phenomenon, has been socially constructed through the activities of social actors, which have been conducted on the basis of certain narratives - the narratives of European integration. As the process of integration has run into problems this has been, following the social constructivist maxima, due to its deficient narratives. Because of the complex discontinuity of European integration and in particular due to the narratives' intrinsic reliance on the monistic mindset, these have in their battle for domination through institutionalization not only failed to grasp the existing nature of European integration, but have moreover and because of that furnished it with unfeasible, incoherent and hence undesirable normative guidance. The proposed theory of European Bund splits with the monistic mindset. It is based on three founding pillars: legal-institutional, socio-political and philosophical, which constitute its distinct character and set it apart from the other theoretical approaches in the field. As such, the theory of European Bund not only provides a better descriptive and explanatory account of European integration, but it also comes with advantageous normative prescriptions for the integration's long term viability that make the best of it, given its unique, above all legal, but also socio-political pedigree. Last but not least, the theory of European Bund is not a constitutional theory, it shall not be addressed as such, and consequently the nature of European integration ought not to be regarded as constitutional either.