On September 2, the IES welcomed Thomas König, Professor of Political Science at the University of Mannheim, for a lecture exploring his latest theoretical work on European integration. König, an expert in political institutions and decision-making, presented insights from his new theory of (supra)national partyism, offering a game-theoretical approach to understanding how the European Union manages political challenges and internal crises. The event was attended by approximately 12 participants.
König’s lecture addressed a central question in EU studies: how has the EU continued to integrate politically and economically despite persistent institutional limitations, crises, and the rise of Euroscepticism? To answer this, he introduced a model that distinguishes between two interrelated but distinct political arenas: the interstate summit game, where national leaders negotiate EU-level decisions, and the national game of party competition, where those same leaders act as politicians seeking electoral success at home. Using this framework, König explained how EU political leaders navigate complex incentives. Heargued that even as new powers are transferred to EU institutions, these moves often happen without formal institutional reform, due in part to the informal and opaque nature of EU summit politics. Although transparency is frequently promised, many key decisions occur in informal meetings, driven by domestic electoral concerns rather than unified European policymaking.A major theme of the talk was the rise of polarization and Euroscepticism, which has challenged traditional visions of EU solidarity. However, König suggested that polarization is not inherently destructive. In fact, through strategic electoral system design and political adaptation, dissensus can be managed to reinforce cooperation and build trust across national constituencies.
König’s theory of (supra)national partyism provides a valuable lens through which to analyze the ongoing transformation of the European Union. By clarifying how leaders balance national interests with EU-wide responsibilities, his work offers a compelling explanation for both the resilience and the limitations of European integration in the 21st century.