The Community method is the traditional approach to European integration. However, the method is becoming obsolete, being too rigid to permit institutional and policy innovations, or to apply to politically sensitive areas. For these reasons, the member states of the EU are increasingly willing to commit themselves to common tasks, but wish to act outside the traditional framework. In a Union where national institutions and priorities are much more varied than in the past, it is impossible to force the integration process into a single pattern. The Community method was inspired by a federalist ... More

The Community method is the traditional approach to European integration. However, the method is becoming obsolete, being too rigid to permit institutional and policy innovations, or to apply to politically sensitive areas. For these reasons, the member states of the EU are increasingly willing to commit themselves to common tasks, but wish to act outside the traditional framework. In a Union where national institutions and priorities are much more varied than in the past, it is impossible to force the integration process into a single pattern. The Community method was inspired by a federalist vision, but a federal superstate would be unable to provide the public goods which Europeans take for granted. Lacking legitimacy, the federation would be unable to act decisively even in areas where close cooperation is needed. A confederation built on the solid foundation of market integration offers the only viable model for a EU capable of playing a significant role on the international scene.