Christian Churches in European Integration

Description

All too often religion is largely ignored as a driver of identity formation in the European context, whereas in reality Christian Churches are central players in European identity formation at the national and continental level. Christian Churches in European Integration challenges this tendency, highlighting the position of churches as important identity formers and actors in civil society. Analysing the role of Churches in engaging with two specific EU issues – that of EU treaty reform and ongoing debates about immigration and asylum policy – the author argues that Churches are unique participants in European integration. Establishing a comprehensive view of Christian Churches as having a vital role to play in European integration, this book offers a substantial and provocative contribution both to our understanding of the European Union and the broader question of how religious and state institutions interact with one another. Cover Title Copyright Contents List of tables List of abbreviations Preface Introduction Churches and European integration The theoretical approach Methodology and case studies The original contribution of the monograph Outline of the structure of the monograph 1 Theories of European integration: the world of factors, institutions and ideas Federalism and European integration Neofunctionalism: an obsolescent theory or unfortunate story? Liberal intergovernmentalism: a consistent theory Social constructivism: theory or perspective? Theories outside the mainstream: three principal approaches Conclusion 2 Identity, non-state actors and religion in European integration: a theoretical approach Identity and European integration Non-state actors and European integration Churches and European integration Churches as non-state actors Churches and identity Christian Churches at the beginning of integration Conclusion 3 Churches as unique participants in European integration: the level of influence Church-state relations The Churches’ level of influence Practical cooperation Conclusion 4 Case study one: Churches in the process of the reform of the EU treaties The historical argument: religion before the Convention Christian perspectives on the Constitutional Treaty: Churches as opinion makers Churches as non-state actors and identity formers: mobilisation and support Conclusion 5 Case study two: Churches and the EU immigration and asylum policy The EU immigration and asylum policy: the main developments Churches and the issue of migration Churches as non-state actors: work in the area of migration and asylum Returns Directive: an uneasy struggle Conclusion Conclusion Churches in social constructivism The special role of Churches Case studies: Churches and the reform of the EU treaties; and Churches and the EU immigration and asylum policy Overall contribution of the monograph Limitations and future research References Index