ABSTRACT
We have to ask in order to follow up the first working hypothesis: what impact does economic specification, which is a result of economic openness/1 have on the behaviour of smaller states in the decision-making process of the EU? Because the economies of the smaller states are more specialized, as Katzenstein argues, they can systematically choose what policies or what aspects of policies to concentrate on in the EU. The aim of the smaller states is to try to maximize their benefits in the policy sectors most important to them. As a result they put emphasis upon their most beneficiary sectors and take only a minimum part in policy-making in sectors where they do not have important interests.
