Should We Continue to Study the European Union?

The purpose of this roundtable is to adopt a reflexive stance on EU studies, wondering if one of the dimensions of the "crisis of Europe" does not also lies in academic knowledge about the EU. By asking such questions, this roundtable will seek to examine the relationship between knowledge and power in the making of European integration (Kropp, Adler-Nissen 2014) in particular on the subject of the crisis and its consequences (Vauchez, Mégie: 2014). The aim will be to disentangle how forms of knowledge on Europe (in history, political science, sociology, economics or law) have been structured and have evolved than that of “State knowledge” (Abbott, 2005). Several general points could be addressed.

- First, the issue of disciplinary positioning within European Studies: the aim is to reflect on how each discipline (history, political science, sociology, economics, law) has built its political and social relations with the EU level.

- Secondly, it seems essential to ask the question of the ability of EU Studies to explain the EU process thanks to theoretical concepts. It will be necessary to analyse both the history and the vision contained in these main theories. Such a panoramic view will also provide the opportunity to discuss practical ideas and emerging approaches, for example in history (Warlouzet: 2014) or economics (Gayon Lemoine: 2014).

- Third, in the context of recurring political and financial crises, the intellectual strategies and the role of EU Studies in the public debate will also be a relevant perspective (Lacroix, Kalypso: 2010).