ABSTRACT
How can we make our theories and concepts work? Only the continuous interplay between theoretical debate and the crafting of empirical research prevents social science discourse from eutrophic metaphorization. Contrary to proponents considering EU integration – as well as every other historical event – as a ‘sui generis’ phenomenon which can only be described, we postulate that European integration can be analysed with conventional social science methods:
The real question that the issue of uniqueness raises is the problem of complexity. The point is not whether events are inherently unique but whether the key features of social reality that we want to understand can be abstracted from a mass of facts.
