The Tension Of "Integration" And"Governance"

This paper mainly analyzes EU(European Union) Governance dilemma faced in the historical process of European Integration and reveals the institutional drawbacks accumulated during the process. Basing on a critical historical reflection on EU expansion, this paper endeavors to explore a new way for European Integration and EU Governance.This thesis is mainly divided into three parts:the first part is the "Integration", namely the historical process of EU’s gradual expansion and advancement. The second part is the "Governance", namely how the EU achieves its governance during the historical EU Integration process, what the governance mechanism is and its functions. The third part, on basis of the above two parts of review and discussion, focuses on the dilemma of European Governance and emphasizes a series of challenges and difficulties after the expansion of the EU, especially after the EU’s eastern enlargement. At present, Governance Dilemma of EU is mainly revealed in three aspects:In politics, there are various contradictions, including not only the contradiction of supranational power and the national sovereignty, but also democratic deficit and concentration of power. In economy, defects lie in the EMU(Economic and Monetary Union):it is rooted in the dualistic structure with "single currency and separated finance". Internal economic structure is unbalanced and economic development condition differs greatly within the EU members. The eurozone doesn’t meet the OCA(Optimal Currency Areas) and lacks of adjusted mechanism, which "being congenitally deficient and insufficient after birth". In culture, there exist low recognition of European Identity and conflicts between European Identity and National Identity. Facing difficulties in politics, economy and culture in the process of European Integration, the European Union tried to find a way out by institutional reforms, especially by establishing a constitution. After the failure of Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe, Lisbon Treaty has witnessed the successes on the road of promoting the European Integration. However, problems still lie ahead and the reform still has a long way to go.