The Diplomacy of Opting Out: A Bourdieudian Approach to National Integration Strategies

TY - JOUR

T1 - The Diplomacy of Opting Out

T2 - A Bourdieudian Approach to National Integration Strategies

AU - Adler-Nissen, Rebecca

PY - 2008

Y1 - 2008

N2 - How are controversial national opt-outs managed and perceived in the EU? This article argues that the United Kingdom and Denmark compensate diplomatically for the exclusionary effects of their exemptions. A Bourdieudian approach to national diplomacy in the EU is developed to explore how British and Danish officials handle their opt-outs. By drawing on extensive interview data, it is demonstrated that the two opt-out champions employ various sophisticated strategies to overcome the dilemma between autonomy and influence. Some diplomatic strategies reduce marginalization while others enhance it. National opt-outs are ambiguous attempts at avoiding further European integration.

AB - How are controversial national opt-outs managed and perceived in the EU? This article argues that the United Kingdom and Denmark compensate diplomatically for the exclusionary effects of their exemptions. A Bourdieudian approach to national diplomacy in the EU is developed to explore how British and Danish officials handle their opt-outs. By drawing on extensive interview data, it is demonstrated that the two opt-out champions employ various sophisticated strategies to overcome the dilemma between autonomy and influence. Some diplomatic strategies reduce marginalization while others enhance it. National opt-outs are ambiguous attempts at avoiding further European integration.

U2 - 10.1111/j.1468-5965.2008.00799.x

DO - 10.1111/j.1468-5965.2008.00799.x

M3 - Journal article

SN - 0021-9886

VL - 46

SP - 663

EP - 684

JO - Journal of Common Market Studies

JF - Journal of Common Market Studies

IS - 3

ER -