Towards European integration

Abstract

Integration has been defined as "the result whereby states, which were previously independent and sovereign are placed in whole or in part under common political authority. Confederation, federation, the unitary state, and the European Communities are all examples of political integration. Traditional International Organisations are immediately recognised as not being examples of political integration. The first main factor in integration is a transfer of power; such transfer giving common institutions the jurisdiction to authoritative and binding decisions in regard to particular subjects whether such subjects be other political institutions or natural or legal persons. and without such persons' consent. Therefore, though integration is essentially and basically political, legal effects follow.