P. Kurzer, DECLINE OR PRESERVATION OF EXECUTIVE CAPACITY - POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC-INTEGRATION REVISITED, Journal of Common Market studies, 35(1), 1997, pp. 31-56
This article takes issue with the rational/intergovernmental approach
to the study of European Union and integration by examining the impact
of informal (global) integration on state capacity and executive auto
nomy in Belgium. Although intergovernmental arrangements occasionally
serve to enhance policy capacity and executive capabilities, non-gover
nmental dynamics, which surpass the deliberate pace of Member State ba
rgaining, erode national decision-making authority. In Belgium, for ex
ample, regional integration sharpened economic disparities between the
language communities and gave rise to a new generation of political l
eaders who took advantage of European institutions to promote decentra
lization of state functions and to restrict central government executi
ve autonomy.