The aim of the paper is to critically examine existing approaches to the study of the European Union’s performance in international institutions. The paper begins by explicating the term ‘performance’, including some of its pathological functions. Subsequently, the main part of the paper reviews a range of approaches discussing both their strengths and limitations. The third and final part of the paper analyses how (empirical case) research on the performance of the EU might feed back into theories of European integration and international relations.

Seminar IBEI Jorgensen