Analytical considerations: on theory and concepts

Abstract

This chapter discusses analytical issues: How do we study the initiation and development of the EU’s marine and maritime policies? Which concepts and theoretical frameworks do we have, and how relevant do we expect them to be? How can we explain later reforms of these policies? The theoretical overview includes International Relations (IR) theories, contrasting especially realist and liberal theories, based on the assumption that the initiation and development of the EU’s sea-related policies is very much a response to international developments. But based on the assumption that endogenous forces have also been important the chapter outlines the basic propositions of the classical integration theories, contrasting especially neofunctionalism and liberal intergovernmentalism. What roles have the common institutions played in comparison with the member states? Looking at the latter it is suggested that we need to look at the role of domestic politics. What this all means is that we need to look at forces and developments at three levels: international, EU-systemic, and domestic, and to arrive at explanations we need to combine theories focussing on these three different levels. The chapter also looks at neo-institutionalist theories, with focus on historical institutionalism and sociological institutionalism. The latter allows the introduction of ideational factors that arguably have played an important role in recent policy reforms aiming for sustainability.