What is the Difference Between Functionalism and Neofunctionalism?

The key difference between functionalism and neofunctionalism lies in their scope and focus. Functionalism is a broader theoretical perspective in International Relations, advocating international cooperation on various issues such as scientific, humanitarian, social, and economic aspects. It emphasizes the role of institutions, norms, and roles in maintaining social stability and the long-term survival of society.

Neofunctionalism, on the other hand, specifically focuses on regional integration, particularly in the context of the European Union. It is a theory of regional integration that downplays globalization and reintroduces certain aspects of functionalism. Neofunctionalists emphasize the potential for deeper and broader governance at the regional level, whereas functionalists argue that the only feasible way to bypass state sovereignty is by transferring specific state functions to specialized international agencies.

In summary:

Functionalism is a broader approach that advocates international cooperation on various issues and emphasizes the role of institutions, norms, and roles in maintaining social stability.
Neofunctionalism is a theory of regional integration that focuses on the role of territory and downplays globalization, emphasizing the potential for deeper and broader governance at the regional level.

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What is the Difference Between Functionalism and Neofunctionalism?

Comparative Table: Functionalism vs Neofunctionalism

Functionalism and Neofunctionalism are both theories in the field of international relations and sociology, but they have some key differences. Here is a table summarizing their differences:

Feature	Functionalism	Neofunctionalism
Scope	Broader approach, focusing on cooperation in various domains such as scientific, humanitarian, social, and economic issues.	Focuses explicitly on regional integration, particularly in the context of the European Union.
Level of Analysis	International and global level.	Regional level, specifically focusing on the European Union.
Importance of Cooperation	Emphasizes the importance of cooperation among states or actors.	Actively promotes further integration influenced by factors such as the size of the unit (region), the frequency of transactions, pluralism, and the compatibility of elites.
Application	Applicable to various international organizations and issues.	Applicable to the early stages in the formation of regional integration, such as the European Coal and Steel Community, the European Economic Community.

Both theories emphasize cooperation among states or actors and attempt to explain the formation of international organizations and regional integration, respectively. However, the key difference between functionalism and neofunctionalism is that functionalism is a broader approach, while neofunctionalism focuses specifically on regional integration.

Guilherme Mazui

Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.