Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Palgrave Macmillan
Book cover

Contesting Political Differentiation

European Division and the Problem of Dominance

  • Book
  • © 2019

Overview

Authors:
  1. Erik O. Eriksen

    1. ARENA Centre for European Studies, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

  • Argues that segmentation is the systemic effect of differentiation in the vertical dimension of integration
  • Deals with ways to overcome harmful political differentiation
  • Devises a new analytical framework for differentiation

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this book

Log in via an institution
eBook USD 64.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access

Licence this eBook for your library

Institutional subscriptions

Table of contents (10 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-x
    Download chapter PDF

  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
      Download chapter PDF

    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
      Download chapter PDF

    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
    Download chapter PDF
Back to top

Keywords

About this book

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.

Reviews

“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)

 

Authors and Affiliations

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

    Erik O. Eriksen

About the author

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).

Bibliographic Information

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Back to top

Search

Navigation