Research
The research and consultancy work of ZEI is implemented in the context of projects of a changing thematic focus and time-frame. The two thematic areas also reflect the focus of graduate education at ZEI.
Currently research at the Center for European Integration Studies is based on two thematic areas:
European Governance and Regulation
Research at ZEI on “European Governance and Regulation” deals with the transformation of the political system of the European Union (EU) and the regulatory pressures which result from this transformation. The transformation process of the EU encompasses the further development of the EU treaties as well as institutional change, which has been analyzed in depth at ZEI in the past. In addition, research at ZEI on “European Governance and Regulation” focuses on the impact of a growing transfer of sovereignty to the EU-level and the increasing repercussions of European policies on the Member States, also taking into account national reservations which sometimes even lead to anti-European movements. The establishment of new legal frameworks to regulate the growing complexity of governance in the EU has evolved as a consequence of the transformation process. This applies especially to the fields of competition law and network industries, which are at the center of ZEI´s research on regulation.
The area of European Governance and Regulation encompasses the following projects:
Comparative Regional Integration
Research at ZEI on “Comparative Regional Integration”deals with the comparative analysis of the worldwide phenomenon of “region-building”. “Region-building” can be understood as the efforts of Europe and regions outside of Europe to enhance integration on an economic, political, legal and cultural level. The main objectives of “region-building” are the preservation of peace, the increase of intra-regional trade and a strengthening of growth and development. Without neglecting the genuine character of regional integration systems outside of Europe, which are the basis of ZEI´s research, the role of the European Union as a source of inspiration and experience is of importance in this context. The work of ZEI in this field focuses specifically on the comparative analysis of regional integration in Europe and West Africa. On this issue, ZEI is conducting a long-term research cooperation project together with the West Africa Institute (WAI) in Praia, Cape Verde. The WAI-ZEI research cooperation is sponsored by the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).
The area of Comparative Regional Integration encompasses the following projects:
