ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the European Union by developing an institutionalist framework for the analysis of EU politics. New institutionalism is drawn upon as a means of explaining the outcomes in a variety of settings. A rationalist state-centric view provides the initial building material for the construction of this framework and is supplemented by explanations highlighting time-induced changes. Rationalist approaches in political science draw on insights from economic theory in general and rational choice in particular. A rationalist account is an important part of the story as it illustrates how member states react to agency losses. The chapter draws upon focal points to analytically account for the way in which ideas enter the story, thereby providing a slightly different narrative perspective. It explains the question of how ideas influence actors and political processes. The chapter operationalizes the variable 'ideas' with the help of focal points in order to trace the underlying forces of institutional change. It addresses historical institutionalism.
