Europeanisation

Abstract

This chapter introduces the theoretical framework of the book in order to explore the Europeanisation processes of Germany and Turkey. In doing so, it draws on two crucial aspects: (a) Europeanisation and (b) New Institutionalism. As illustrated later in this chapter, Europeanisation is taken here to refer to a bidirectional process, which both shapes and is shaped by the domestic policies and politics. To this end, the term Europeanisation has been applied when explaining the domestic impact of the EU and the ways in which the EU influences the national states, whereas New Institutionalism (NI) theory has been applied when explaining the domestic responses to the EU influence. To that end, the chapter is organised in six sections. It begins by defining the concept of Europeanisation and illustrates the ways in which Europeanisation operates; secondly, it examines the roles of the domestic actors throughout the process, which is where the research appeals to NI. Therefore, the third section continues with a detailed explanation of NI; fourthly it discusses the potential Europeanisation patterns that are identified within the Europeanisation literature; and finally, it puts forward an interpretation of Europeanisation in the field of WFLR.