Rethinking EU Studies: The Contribution of Comparative Regionalism

Publication Date: 
01 January 2010
Publisher: 
Taylor & Francis
Publication Place: 
Abington
Publication Language: 
EN
Appearing in: 
Journal of European Integration
Volume: 
32
Issue: 
6
Pages: 
451-562
DOI: 
10.1080/07036337.2010.518715
Abstract: 

This article introduces the special issue on the contribution of comparative regionalism/regional integration studies to the rethinking of EU studies. It sets out what we consider to be a danger for EU studies, namely its tendency towards introversion, and argue for a sustained engagement with the studies of other global regions as a means to avoid this. We draw on political science and psychology to set out a suitable framework for comparing global regions such as the EU, and show how the various contributions to the special issue demonstrate the utility for EU studies scholars of a more sustained, and more routinised, engagement with the work on ‘new regionalism’.