European Integration in the 80s and 90s in the Context of Traditional Integration and International Relations Theories

European integration from its very early stages and the exact start has been a unique and therefore controversial point in traditional international relations theories to interpret. It still is so unique process even in present international order, that it had never fitted in any of the dominant paradigm- neither realism, nor behaviouralism or any other international relations theory had managed to explain it completely.
Main theories that Smith describes are rationalism, reflectivism and social constructivism theories. He discusses rationalism theories, analyzing realism and liberalism and its major assumptions. For realism they are that states are the major actors, which exist in the international order called anarchy, which is most influential force shaping the behavior of states; states are possessing military forces to protect their interests and act as instrumentally rational, unitary actors; states are preoccupied with survival, power and security and are doubtful and suspicious, that fosters the failure of cooperation; international institutions affect the prospects for cooperation only marginally.…