Europeanization as a process of institutionalization and institutional change

Abstract

The article examines еuropeanization, which involves the emergence of new institutional and functional forms of European governance. In this interpretation of Europeanization, the emphasis is on the European Union. However, Europeanization should not be considered as a synonym for the process of European integration, but rather as a concept that encompasses how this process has changed the concepts of governance at the national and supranational levels. It is about creating a center of collective action, which, in addition, should ensure a certain degree of coordination and coherence. Thus, Europeanization means the emergence and development of political, legal and social institutions at the European level, which formalize the interaction between various actors, as well as the emergence of political networks specializing in the creation of relevant EU rules.

Using the comparative method, the goals and objectives of political forces and parties were compared and the specifics of Europeanization were revealed; The structural method was used to examine theoretical concepts of Europeanization and political practice, and the descriptive method was used to record the main trends in the international activities of political institutions.

The article states that researchers adhere to a “top-down” or “inverted second image” approach to Europeanization (Gourevitch). For the sake of clarity, the definition of Europeanization is limited to the process by which domestic policy areas become increasingly subordinate to European policy. This process is essentially due to the transfer of political powers from member states to the European level, the study of the feedback effects of domestic institutional changes caused by Europeanization on its process itself.

The results of the study have practical significance for further research into Europeanization, in particular by using world practices in the political process.