ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the "grand theories", which focus on explaining the process of European integration. It describes the neo-functionalism, intergovernmentalism and federalism. The chapter deals with the so-called "normalization" of the EU in political science, by describing the various approaches and middle-range theories drawing on broader political science literatures to analyse the EU as a political system. It introduces the reader to the new institutionalisms, constructivism, to sociological and governance approaches in European studies but also to theoretical developments in International Relations. The chapter focuses on Europeanization as one particular strand of research that examines the impact of the EU on its Member States and vice-versa. It discusses the best way to present and analyses the EU political system taking into account all these elements. Some scholars have proposed a political sociology of EU politics, consisting in the analysis of the behaviours, social characteristics and views of actors involved in EU politics to understand the EU broader dynamics.
