Intergovernmentalism or Functionalism? Foreign Policy in the European Union after the Lisbon Treaty

Abstract

Neo functionalism and its consequential foundations in the study of unity and the integration of nation-states in a non-coercive way have played a major role in the formulation of integration-oriented theories of governance. The European Union (EU) as a functional establishment has traveled a long trajectory from its initial economic cooperation programs to social and political harmonization schemes as well. Intergovernmentalism as a decision making factor by Member States has created a new source of balance and stability throughout the European Union. The Lisbon Treaty, with the new identity that it created after the failure of the European Constitution has been comprehensive in its approach to all procedures and rules of the former treaties of the community. That treaty has renewed the EU with major changes in foreign policy and has granted more power to the European Parliament. In general, the connection between the European Council and the supranational sections of the EU have originated more influence for individual states to enforce their own interests rather than working for collective gain. The establishment of the High Representative as executive power in foreign policy (CFSP) is moving toward the intergovernmental territory which takes the EU away from their functional abilities and it reduces the principle of community-oriented functions to constructive power building by the political interests of different Member States.One might ask 'are the European Union and its own functional regional institutions repositioning themselves as intergovernmental establishments?' The Lisbon Treaty as a general agreement in between twenty seven Member States is now finding new perception to balance these supranational and intergovernmental sectors together. With no measurements available to control the level of each section, with the exception of the European Parliament, the separation of authority of the European governing body can therefore influence intergovernmental activities and reduce the supranational nature of integration. How new developments form the future of foreign policy of the European Union will remain a question, perhaps metamorphosing and progressing to continue internally and externally affecting the European Union and its decision making process.