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Research
Object of Research
The diffusion of ideas has become a central research theme in political science, sociology, law, history, and economics. Scholars have focused on how ideas are spread across time and space, as can be observed especially in the European Union in various sociopolitical fields. The European Union (EU) serves as an almost ideal laboratory for investigating processes and outcomes of diffusion.
Until now, the diffusion of ideas has mainly been studied from a structuralist perspective. However, the process evolves differently, depending on how diffusion is initiated. Existing studies on diffusion furthermore show that it is not a process free of conflict. Focusing on the EU, the Research College seeks to study the influence of actors, their interests and their power, on the diffusion of ideas.
Research Questions
What kind of diffusion mechanisms does the EU employ and which diffusion mechanisms are particularly conducive to transformational changes inside the EU and its member states?
Under which conditions do processes of diffusion result in convergence of divergence?
Research Approach
The Research College will study the role of the EU as the promoter and recipient of ideas, analyzing the mechanisms and effects of internal and external diffusion processes in the three research areas. Each research area will extend over a period of two years in order to allow for thorough analysis and theory development.
Diffusion works as a bridge between various meta-theoretical orientations and connects different methodologies to each other. By concentrating on five mechanisms of diffusion, the Research College attends to diverging approaches.
For detailed information see Grant Proposal.
