ABSTRACT
In the early days of regional integration theory, ‘transnational socialization’ was a major subject of interest and inquiry in both neo-functionalism and Karl Deutsch’s transactionalist theory. Ernst Haas defined political integration as ‘the process whereby political actors in several distinct national settings are persuaded to shift their loyalties, expectations and political activities toward a new centre’ (1968: 16), yielding ‘a new national consciousness of the new political community’ (1968: 14). Haas conceived this process as a predominantly transnational process of ‘political spill-over’ (1968: 283-317; cf. Tranholm-Mikkelsen, 1991: 13-15). To the extent that it helps them realize their political goals better, nationally constituted political elites (in interest groups, parties and bureaucracies) orient their expectations and activities toward the integrated level of decision-making, build transnational coalitions (with the support of the supranational organizations) and develop supranational perspectives on their political problems and their solutions.
