ABSTRACT
In October 2012, the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to the European Union (EU). In 2016 Britons voted, 52 percent to 48 percent, in favor of "Brexit"—leaving the EU—a development that stands in stark contrast to the Nobel Committee's praise of the EU in 2012 and made some fear for the EU's very survival. The European Economic Community (EEC) joined together the members of the European Coal and Steel Community in a far more ambitious project. This (neo-)functionalist perspective long dominated discussions of the European integration, but it has been challenged by differing perspectives. Charles de Gaulle also favored an inter-governmental approach—a "Europe of nation-states"—and vehemently objected to supranational proposals, including efforts by EEC to acquire its own revenue and reduce national veto powers. The EU Commission under Jacques Delors agreed, stating that "Europe stands at the crossroads".
