A member state like any other? Germany and the European integration of core state powers

The EU has integrated core state powers in a largely unsustainable manner. Why is this? In this introduction to special issue on Germany, we take an in-depth look at national preference-formation. We trace the impact of elites, as emphasised by functionalist theories, and mass publics political parties, stressed postfunctionalism. find that across policy fields with striking continuity over time, Germany acts normal member state. country prefers regulation capacities creation European capacities, (increasingly) intergovernmental rather than supranational control those capacities. Only existential crises, supports capacity-building under control. This leads unstable integration but not indicator hegemonic dominance. Crucial from both practical theoretical perspective, there exists no major gap between elites parties or public opinion German preferences.