EIRP Proceedings, Vol 9 (2014)

Abstract

The phenomenon of European integration may be analyzed in a theoretical interconditionality with the general phenomenon of globalization. Both aspects of the contemporary society are complex; therefore, they must be analyzed from several perspectives. Globalization, as a general phenomenon, concerns the entire human race and may be understood by several coordinates: economic, social, political, cultural, military, etc. The complexity of this phenomenon introduces certain contradictory aspects as well. The European integration is a phenomenon which mainly concerns the states located in the European geographical area and which explicitly manifested the desire to be integrated into the European Union. The European construction represents a recent mechanism, which requires permanent revisions, lest it should end up in failure. The two concepts, federalism versus intergovernmentalism, seem to outline the general context of the theoretical discussions concerning the sustainable development of the European Union. The common policies of the European Union represent the main instruments by which this mechanism defines today in the general context of globalization.